Telecommunications Acquisitions in Minnesota

Metronet has acquired US Internet (USI), a Minnetonka-based pure-play fiber provider whose network reaches more than 140,000 homes and businesses in the greater Minneapolis area. Terms were not disclosed; the deal follows Metronet’s recent acquisition by a T‑Mobile and KKR joint venture and results in an exit for investor Everside Capital Partners.

Beacon Communications LLC has acquired All State Communications, a Minnesota-based provider of advanced communications and security solutions, strengthening Beacon's presence across the Upper Midwest. The deal expands Beacon's service footprint and capabilities in healthcare, government, education, and commercial sectors as part of its continued U.S. expansion.

EarthLink has acquired Nextera Communications, a Minnesota-based provider of fixed wireless, voice, and data solutions, to expand its business internet and fixed wireless footprint in the Midwest. The deal brings Nextera's employees, services, and customers into EarthLink Business and is effective immediately; financial terms were not disclosed.

UPSTACK has acquired the telecom agency services division of CA Communications Inc.; financial terms were not disclosed. The CA agency business will operate under the UPSTACK brand with key CA personnel (including founder and CEO Marc Agar) joining UPSTACK as partners while CA maintains its technology resale and managed services lines.

Alliance Corporation announced a merger with GetWireless, LLC to expand its value‑added distribution footprint for wireless telecommunications and IoT connectivity solutions across the U.S. and Canada. Funds managed by Lee Equity Partners and Twin Point Capital have invested in Alliance; financial terms were not disclosed.

Multi-Tech Systems, a portfolio company of Northlane Capital Partners, acquired Radio Bridge, a Minnesota-based designer and manufacturer of long-range LoRaWAN wireless sensors. The add-on expands MultiTech's sensor-to-cloud portfolio, enabling tighter integration between sensors and MultiTech's gateways, device management and connectivity solutions.

Everside Capital Partners, together with Lake Country Capital and a group of institutional limited partners, provided an additional growth investment in US Internet Corp (USI) to support the company’s continued expansion of fiber-to-the-home and related hosting services. The founder-led management team will remain in place and retain majority ownership as the capital supports accelerated deployment across Minneapolis and adjacent Minnesota markets.

Airgain, Inc. (NASDAQ: AIRG) acquired privately-held NimbeLink Corp., a Plymouth, Minnesota-based provider of edge cellular modems and asset-tracking solutions, in a cash transaction signed and closed January 7, 2021. The deal included approximately $15.0 million upfront and up to $8.0 million in additional cash contingent on 2021 revenue targets; NimbeLink reported preliminary 2020 revenue of $12.5 million.

SmartWave Technologies, a portfolio company of Northlane Capital Partners, has acquired Multi‑Tech Systems, Inc., a global supplier of industrial communications devices and services. The deal combines SmartWave's short‑range wireless and sensor expertise with MultiTech's long‑range wireless (LoRaWAN, LTE) product portfolio to create an integrated, end‑to‑end IoT solutions provider operating under the MultiTech brand.

Affinitech Inc., a national integrator of audio, visual and security technologies, has acquired long-time cabling and installation provider National Communications Services Inc. (NCSI). The deal preserves NCSI’s leadership, name and operations while combining Affinitech’s technical product expertise and human capital with NCSI’s nationwide dispatch network to expand service capabilities across healthcare, fitness, retail and multi-site customers.

MetroNet (MetroNet Holdings, LLC) has acquired Owatonna, Minnesota-based Jaguar Communications, integrating the regional fiber-optic provider into its 100% fiber network to expand ultra-high-speed internet, phone and IPTV services across southern Minnesota. MetroNet expects to invest an additional $150 million or more to grow the Minnesota market; terms were not disclosed and the companies will fully integrate under the MetroNet brand.

Pavlov Media, a provider of broadband, voice and TV services for student housing and multi-family properties, has acquired Bloomington-based IPTV software provider Singularity. The acquisition gives Pavlov an IPTV/middleware platform to enhance content delivery and streaming experiences for its multi-family and residential customers.

Communications Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: JCS) completed the acquisition of Ecessa Corporation, a privately-held SD-WAN solutions provider based in Plymouth, Minnesota. The deal brings Ecessa’s software-defined WAN products and installed base into CSI’s IoT intelligent edge and networking offerings to expand capabilities, sales channels and recurring revenue opportunities.

QualTek has acquired Vertical Limit LLC to expand its Midwest presence and capabilities in wireless infrastructure services. The acquisition brings Vertical Limit's Midwest footprint and experienced team into QualTek's national turnkey telecommunications and power services platform.

RouteTrust, an Austin-based telecommunications software provider, acquired RTX Solutions, LLC in January 2019. The deal (terms undisclosed) is intended to expand RouteTrust’s product offerings and accelerate capabilities in cloud-based telecom routing, switching and management solutions.