Telecommunications Acquisitions in 2023

Pavlov Media has acquired iZone Broadband, a small regional ISP serving parts of Central Ohio (SW Knox, NW Licking and NE Delaware counties). The acquisition expands Pavlov Media's residential and business service footprint into Central Ohio and brings iZone customers onto Pavlov's national broadband backbone and customer support resources.

Pavlov Media has acquired Inspire Wi‑Fi, a provider of wireless solutions for leasing offices, clubhouses and amenity areas, to expand its amenity-focused connectivity offerings. The acquisition strengthens Pavlov Media’s product suite for common and amenity areas (branded Pavlov Spaces) and brings Inspire’s service footprint of more than 500 communities into Pavlov’s national managed-Wi‑Fi platform. Terms were not disclosed.

Luna Innovations Incorporated acquired Silixa, a UK-based leader in distributed fiber optic sensing, for $21.5 million in upfront cash plus up to $16.5 million in earnouts. The deal, partially funded by a strategic investment from White Hat Capital Partners, adds DAS, DTS and DSS capabilities to Luna's portfolio and expands its presence in the U.K./EMEA and end markets such as energy, mining and defense.

center3, a subsidiary of stc Group, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire CMC Networks from the Carlyle Sub‑Saharan Africa Fund (CSSAF). The deal expands center3's digital infrastructure and connectivity footprint across Africa and the Middle East by integrating CMC's pan‑African network, managed services and cloud/edge capabilities.

LDC has supported Duncan Strike and Message Direct's management team in a management buyout of Message Direct, the Ferndown-based outsourced communications and 24/7 call answering provider. The investment will fund the management team's buy-and-build growth strategy, support organic expansion and investment in transformational technology (including AI), and the business will be guided by new board appointees joining post-transaction.

Vontas, a Modaxo company, has acquired Orion Labs, a San Francisco–based voice-first collaboration and voice-AI platform. The acquisition adds Orion’s push-to-talk, location services, and AI-powered voice capabilities to Vontas’ OnTransit ITS solution to improve communications and situational awareness for transit agencies.

Ceragon Networks Ltd. completed its acquisition of Siklu, a provider of multi‑Gigabit mmWave "wireless fiber" connectivity, in a transaction with an enterprise value of approximately $13–15 million. The deal (partly paid with ~1.5 million Ceragon shares and assumption of ~$10–12 million of liabilities) is intended to expand Ceragon's mmWave and Fixed Wireless Access capabilities and increase its presence with private networks and small service providers in North America.

TeleCloud, a Morristown, New Jersey–based cloud telecommunications provider, has acquired the Nextphone customer base from DiRAD, expanding its footprint in cloud-based phone and unified communications services. The deal transfers DiRAD’s Nextphone clients to TeleCloud as the company seeks to grow its SMB-focused managed communications business and extend its 24/7 white-glove support offering.

Mobile Communications America, Inc. (MCA) has acquired Communications Services, Inc. (CSI), a Motorola service shop based in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. The acquisition expands MCA’s service footprint and capabilities in Tennessee, bringing CSI’s local wireless-communications expertise into MCA’s national portfolio.

Siris, a New York-based private equity firm, has agreed to acquire BearCom, a North American provider and integrator of wireless voice, video and data solutions, from Bertram Capital. The transaction is supported by financing from MCCP (led the financing) and private-credit provider Bow River Capital; Siris plans to invest to expand BearCom's video security, private mobile networks and DAS capabilities to accelerate organic and inorganic growth.

BV Investment Partners has made an investment in CallTower, a South Jordan, Utah–based provider of cloud-based enterprise communications, contact center and collaboration solutions. The capital—backed by debt financing from AB Private Credit Investors and Boundary Street Capital—is intended to accelerate CallTower's organic growth and support acquisitions; the parties anticipated closing in Q4 2023.

AddSecure Group has agreed to acquire DigiComm Group (including DigiComm GmbH, Temeno GmbH and Insert IT GmbH), expanding its footprint in the DACH region and strengthening its secure IoT and critical-communications capabilities. The deal also gives AddSecure access to DigiComm's expertise in critical infrastructure and a new application area in smart waste management.

Palisade Infrastructure has acquired 100% of the equity interests in Mashell, Inc., the parent company of Rainier Connect, and will operate and rebrand the business as Lightcurve. Palisade plans significant investments to upgrade fiber-optic infrastructure and expand broadband service across multiple Washington counties as part of a strategy to build a regional digital connectivity platform.

Searchlight Capital Partners has made a strategic growth investment in Mainstream Fiber Networks to accelerate the Indiana-based fiber ISP's expansion into unserved and underserved rural communities. The capital will support Mainstream's buildout of next-generation fiber across the state, leveraging existing grant relationships and aiming to connect hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses.

A fund managed by Macquarie Asset Management has agreed to make a structured equity investment in SwyftFiber (CableSouth Media III d/b/a SwyftFiber / SwyftConnect). The investment will support accelerated construction of fiber infrastructure and expansion into existing and new markets across Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas, with a focus on underserved communities and programs such as Louisiana GUMBO and FCC RDOF.

Millennium, a Delavan, Wisconsin–based broadband solutions provider, has acquired DeBauche Communications Services to strengthen its engineering and design capabilities for fiber-optic network builds across the U.S. The acquisition adds DeBauche’s 16 years of outside-plant engineering and GIS experience in multiple states and is intended to accelerate Millennium’s fiber-to-the-home projects for local and regional providers.

CentraCom, a wholly owned subsidiary of LICT Corporation, has agreed to acquire Manti Telephone Company (MTC), sister company Manti Tele Communications Company (MTCC), and AFConnect (AFI). The deal — which expands CentraCom’s statewide fiber footprint into Manti, Sterling, Ephraim and American Fork, Utah — is expected to close on October 31, 2023 pending regulatory approval.

Berkshire Partners has made a majority growth investment in TowerNorth, a developer, owner and operator of wireless infrastructure assets across the United States and Europe. Founding investor Wincove Private Holdings re-invested in the transaction; financial terms were not disclosed.

Tata Communications has completed the acquisition of Kaleyra, Inc., a global CPaaS provider, for approximately $100 million in cash plus assumption of Kaleyra's outstanding debt. Kaleyra and its subsidiaries are now wholly owned by Tata Communications, combining Tata's customer engagement solutions with Kaleyra's communications platform to expand capability in intelligent, multi-channel customer interactions.

NUSO, a US-based cloud communications and CPaaS provider, has acquired UK-based I-Net Communications Group Limited to establish a native UK footprint and expand its Cloud Communications and CPaaS enablement portfolio. The deal will enable UK customers to access NUSO service lines including NUSO Bridge for Microsoft Teams and Zoom and adds contact centre, voice, SIP trunking and Cloud PBX capabilities to NUSO's offering.

Alares, the Grain Management-backed Brazilian telecommunications operator, has acquired Webby Internet, a São Paulo-based internet service provider. The add-on expands Alares' fiber backbone and customer base — adding about 115,000 customers and ~450 employees — strengthening its presence in São Paulo and marking entry into Paraná as part of an inorganic consolidation strategy.

Hunter Communications, a Grain Management-backed fiber-optic provider based in Medford, Oregon, has acquired Origin Networks LLC, the parent company of InfoStructure. The deal expands Hunter's regional footprint and technical capabilities for delivering business internet, voice and cloud services across Oregon.

MCA (Mobile Communications America) has acquired On Air Solutions, Inc., a Houston‑based provider of in‑building wireless communication systems and distributed antenna systems (DAS). The acquisition expands MCA's in‑building wireless capabilities and strengthens its footprint in Texas and the Midwest; On Air's founders Scott Wysocki and Abu Sayeed will join the MCA family.

Alliance US Holdings, LP (backed by Lee Equity Partners and Twin Point Capital) has acquired DiscountCell, LLC, a government-contract-awarded vendor providing procurement access for state and local governments and education organizations. The deal expands Alliance's value-added wireless distribution platform (which includes Alliance Corporation, GetWireless, and TESSCO) and strengthens its government/public-sector and IoT/fixed wireless capabilities.

Kane Infrastructure Services Holdings, an Aterian Investment Partners portfolio company, has acquired NET100, a Mid‑Atlantic provider of structured cabling and network infrastructure services. The deal expands Kane's contiguous operating footprint into Virginia and strengthens its design, build, and maintenance capabilities as an add‑on to the Kane platform under new CEO John Wozniak.

LDC-backed Managed Internet Service Provider Wifinity has acquired Surrey-based network connectivity provider Next Connex, which specialises in WAN, SD-WAN and Infrastructure-as-a-Service. The add-on bolsters Wifinity's technical and product capabilities across enterprise, public sector and remote/multi-tenant connectivity markets.

Bluewave Technology Group has acquired J.I.L. Communications, Inc., a Louisville-based telecommunications advisory and management firm; financial terms were not disclosed. The acquisition—Bluewave's fourth this year—adds JIL's network, hybrid cloud and contact-center advisory capabilities and more than 350 active customers (notably in healthcare and manufacturing), strengthening Bluewave's technical capability and presence in Kentucky.

nexfibre, in partnership with Virgin Media O2, has agreed to acquire fibre operator Upp. Virgin Media O2 will initially purchase and integrate Upp before nexfibre acquires Upp's network assets—adding approximately 175,000 premises in the East of England and accelerating regional fibre rollout.

Archtop Fiber has completed its acquisition of GTel, a family-owned, fiber-rich voice, video and Internet service provider based in Germantown, New York. The deal brings GTel's ~300 miles of fiber infrastructure, roughly 2,500 customers and a 17-person workforce into Archtop as the buyer expands its 100%-fiber, multi-gig broadband footprint across southern Columbia County and the Hudson Valley.

AddSecure, a European secure IoT connectivity provider majority‑owned by Castik Capital, will acquire Clifford Group, a Benelux telematics and mobile security specialist. The deal creates a new Smart Mobility business unit within AddSecure to expand into connected mobility, enable cross‑sell opportunities and support geographic expansion in the Benelux and beyond.

UST has acquired MobileComm, a Dallas-based telecom engineering firm with over 1,300 employees, to strengthen its telecommunications practice and accelerate offerings in 5G, private cellular and Open RAN. The acquisition merges UST's cloud and devsecops capabilities with MobileComm's wireless engineering expertise to deliver enhanced solutions for Communications Service Providers and enterprise private network customers.

Dycom Industries, Inc. acquired Bigham Cable Construction, Inc., a southeastern U.S. telecommunications construction contractor that generated approximately $140 million of revenue over the last twelve months. The acquisition expands Dycom's geographic footprint and customer base and increases its capacity to pursue rural broadband deployment opportunities.

Wireless Logic, a global IoT connectivity provider backed by Montagu, has acquired Webbing, a 2010-founded MVNO and eSIM specialist that provides global connectivity and eSIM management for enterprise mobility and IoT customers. The deal expands Wireless Logic’s eSIM and IoT provisioning capabilities and broadens its regional presence, particularly in the United States and Asia.

Zetron acquired Eagle NewCo, a mission-critical communications and workforce management business unit of NEC Software Solutions UK Limited, for approximately $15 million. The deal brings Eagle’s primarily UK-based team into Zetron, expanding Zetron’s command-and-control product capabilities and strengthening its UK and European presence.

Managed connectivity provider Wifinity has acquired Vital WiFi, an offshore vessel connectivity specialist based in Hampshire, United Kingdom. The acquisition expands Wifinity’s services into offshore sectors (including traditional and renewable energy platforms and commercial shipping) and brings Vital WiFi’s wireless software platform and customer-engagement capabilities into the Wifinity portfolio.

Zentro, a Midwest MDU-focused ISP, acquired Ohio-based Snip Internet to expand its multi-dwelling-unit footprint across the region. Backed by private equity firm M/C Partners, the combined business now serves roughly 1,200 buildings and 61,000 subscribers across multiple metro markets; Houlihan Lokey advised Snip on the transaction.

Ubiquity, a private digital infrastructure investor, has acquired EdgePresence, a provider of modular build-to-suit edge data centers that deliver localized, low-latency compute for carriers and hyperscalers. EdgePresence's founder Doug Recker and the existing team will remain in place as Ubiquity integrates the business into its new Ubiquity Edge vertical to expand last-mile space, power and edge compute capabilities across multiple U.S. metros.

Cox Communications agreed to acquire the remaining ownership stake in Unite Private Networks (UPN) from Ridgemont Equity Partners, completing the deal in July 2023. UPN will be combined with Cox-owned Segra to form a new standalone commercial fiber company that expands Cox's fiber footprint and commercial services for enterprise, education and government customers.

Amdocs has completed the acquisition of TEOCO's service assurance business, strengthening Amdocs' end-to-end service orchestration and network assurance capabilities. The deal (announced May 2023 and completed July 2023) brings TEOCO's fault, performance and service management capabilities into Amdocs' OSS portfolio to help service providers assure and monetize next-generation network experiences.

Pensacola-based QCFS Management Group, Inc., a provider of aerial and underground fiber and cable installation and maintenance services, was acquired by Gulf Breeze-based Accelerated Communications and Construction, LLC. Bravaldo Capital Advisors served as exclusive sell-side advisor; the owners sought a buyer that would preserve employee welfare and continue QCFS’s service mission.

EarthLink, a Trive Capital portfolio company, has acquired One Ring Networks, a fixed wireless and voice/data provider headquartered in Athens, Texas. The deal — which closed on June 30, 2023 — expands EarthLink Business' fixed wireless capabilities and market presence across Arizona, California, Georgia, Maryland and Texas.

Hastings Equity Partners’ Fund V portfolio company GridSource has acquired Accelerated Communications & Construction as an add-on to its telecommunications services platform. The acquisition expands GridSource’s geographic footprint and service capabilities in middle- and last-mile fiber deployment across Central and Gulf Coast Florida.

BCM One, a portfolio company of Thompson Street Capital Partners (TSCP), has acquired Pure IP, a London-based global provider of cloud voice services for Microsoft Teams, Cisco, Webex and Zoom. The add-on expands BCM One’s NextGen Communications portfolio and extends its international footprint with Pure IP offices in London, Auckland and San Francisco; terms were not disclosed.

Gigstreem, a national provider of residential and commercial broadband networks, has acquired Southern California internet service provider Warp2Biz to expand its network footprint in the greater California region. The acquisition will enable Gigstreem to directly control service quality in Los Angeles and Orange County and accelerate coast-to-coast network expansion.

JLC Infrastructure, the Magic Johnson and Loop Capital-backed infrastructure investor, has made a minority growth investment in GeoLinks to support the company's nationwide expansion of fixed wireless broadband. The capital will help GeoLinks scale its ClearFiber technology and spectrum footprint to serve additional urban, suburban, rural and government customers across the United States.

Optimal Investment Group (OIG), a Sherman Oaks, California private equity firm, completed a follow-on Series B investment in Peltbeam, Inc., a Newport Beach 5G mmWave technology company. OIG was the sole outside investor in both Peltbeam's Series A and remained the only outside investor in the Series B round to support the company's development of smart repeaters and mmWave solutions.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) has completed the acquisition of Athonet, a Vicenza, Italy–based private cellular/mobile core software provider, integrating Athonet’s private 4G/5G core technology into HPE’s edge-to-cloud, Aruba networking and GreenLake offerings. The deal strengthens HPE’s private 5G capability, enabling integrated Wi‑Fi and private 5G deployments for enterprises and communications service providers and accelerating go-to-market at global scale.

Bluewave Technology Group has acquired Total Telecom Solutions, a New York–based telecom agency that provides voice and data solutions to medium-sized businesses. The undisclosed deal expands Bluewave’s presence in the Northeast and brings Total Telecom’s team and client base into Bluewave’s technology advisory platform.

Funds advised by Basalt Infrastructure Partners have closed the acquisition of Fatbeam Holdings, LLC from a fund managed by SDC Capital Partners and other investors. Fatbeam is a fiber broadband provider operating ~1,250 route miles across the western United States; Basalt said it will partner with management to continue the company’s growth and expand connectivity to education, commercial, carrier, and government customers.

i3 Broadband has completed the acquisition of Big River Broadband and its wholly owned subsidiary Circle Fiber, expanding i3's fiber-to-the-home footprint into southeast Missouri. The Peoria-area operator said the deal closed on May 31, 2023 and that it expects to invest an additional $100 million to grow the southeast Missouri market and expand gigabit services.