AUGUSTA – Prexar, LLC, with headquarters in Bangor, has purchased the Augusta-based Internet service provider PowerLink.net.

The acquisition, Prexar’s fifth within the past 12 months, brings the company’s customer count to about 25,000, making it the third largest Maine-based provider.

“Our acquisition strategy right from the beginning has been to acquire strong and quality local companies with people who know their customers and the market,” said Prexar President Daniel J. Doiron.

PowerLink was purchased from Daniel P. Bonenfant, a resident of Whitefield, who started the company in 1997. The company provides dial-up access to the Web, e-mail services, Web design and Web hosting.

Bonenfant and his four employees will remain with Prexar. PowerLink’s name will continue, co-branded with Prexar’s. It will remain in its current location at 84 Bangor St.

Incorporated in Maine, Prexar began operations about a year ago with the acquisition of AcadiaNet of Ellsworth. It has since purchased Waterville Online, Rocket Science of Portsmouth, N.H., and MonadNet of Keene, N.H. It specializes in Internet and Internet-protocol technology, delivering leading-edge technology.

Prexar provides a growing range of products and services to businesses and consumers, including dial-up and high-speed access, Web site design and hosting, networking solutions and unified communications. For information, visit Prexar’s Web site at www.prexar.com.