Telecommunications Acquisitions in Kentucky

TXO, a PE-backed global technology lifecycle services platform, has acquired the AirWay Group to expand its North American presence and broaden lifecycle management, staging, logistics, and network engineering capabilities. AirWay — which operates an R2/ISO-certified facility in Hebron, Kentucky and serves more than 250 telecom and broadband customers worldwide — will operate under the AirWay name while integrating with TXO's global platform.

EarthLink has acquired QX.net, a Lexington-based fixed wireless internet provider, to expand its business services and fixed wireless footprint in Kentucky. The acquisition adds QX.net's wireless network, employees and service capabilities (internet, voice, data center and SD-WAN) to EarthLink's portfolio and takes effect immediately.

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.

Single Point Communications Group (SPCG) acquired Single Point Solutions of Central Kentucky (SPS of Central KY) as part of SPCG's strategic growth initiative. The transaction was sponsored and advised by Soterra Capital; SPS founder Rob Keelen will lead the transition of his team into SPCG's operations.

Verizon Communications has signed an agreement to acquire certain assets of Bluegrass Cellular, a rural wireless operator serving central Kentucky with roughly 210,000 customers across 34 counties. The transaction—subject to FCC approval—is intended to expand Verizon's footprint in Kentucky and will transition Bluegrass customers and employees to Verizon; closing was expected late 2020 or early 2021.

Watch Communications, a subsidiary of Benton Ridge Telephone, has acquired Q Wireless, a western Kentucky-based fixed wireless internet provider, expanding Watch’s footprint into western Kentucky and southeastern Indiana and adding roughly 2,000 residential subscribers. Phil Lambert, owner of Q Wireless, will join Watch Communications as Southern Region general manager; the deal also extends Watch’s Microsoft Airband partnership into Kentucky.