Telecommunications Acquisitions in Utah

BearCom has acquired Stone Security, a Salt Lake City–based provider of enterprise physical security products and services, adding more than 225 technical staff and a footprint across the U.S., Mexico and Brazil to BearCom’s security solutions portfolio. The deal, announced Dec. 20, 2024, expands BearCom’s video surveillance and access control capabilities and is the company’s second acquisition since Siris’ 2023 investment.

Novacap has closed an investment to acquire All West Communications, a fiber-based broadband provider headquartered in Kamas, Utah, with co-investment from Novo Holdings. The partnership will fund All West's expansion of fiber broadband services across Utah and Wyoming and accelerate deployment into underserved communities.

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.

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.

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.

Dallas-based private equity firm Trive Capital has made an investment in Wilson Electronics, a U.S.-based leader in cellular signal amplification and wireless connectivity solutions. The partnership will support Wilson Electronics’ next phase of growth, including expanding its product offerings, target customer base, and geographic coverage while continuing U.S.-based design and manufacturing.

Funds managed by SDC Capital Partners acquired a majority interest in Consolidated Smart Systems, LLC (dba Smartaira), providing the multifamily-focused ISP with capital to accelerate organic growth and an acquisition strategy. SDC committed up to an additional $100 million to expand Smartaira’s footprint while Smartaira has already used the backing to close add-on acquisitions (including portfolios from Just In Time Technology Solutions and Blue Rim Networks).

Boston Omaha Corporation, through its wholly owned subsidiary FIF St George, LLC, has completed the acquisition of the businesses operated by InfoWest, Inc. and Go Fiber LLC, two fiber and fixed wireless internet service providers based in St. George, Utah. The combined businesses serve over 20,000 customers across southern and central Utah, northern Arizona and Moapa Valley, Nevada; InfoWest and Go Fiber equityholders retain a 20% initial ownership stake in FIF St George as Boston Omaha commits additional capital to accelerate FTTH expansion.

Ariel Alternatives, LLC has acquired a 52.5% majority stake in Sorenson at an enterprise valuation of $1.3 billion, with existing shareholders (including Blackstone Credit, a Franklin Mutual Advisers fund, and private credit accounts managed by KKR) retaining minority stakes. The investment will support expansion of Sorenson's accessible communication products and platforms for Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities globally, while bringing new leadership and board expertise to accelerate product, security, and regulatory capabilities.

UPSTACK has acquired Utah-based IT consulting firm Open Communications LLC; terms were not disclosed. The deal brings Open Communications founder Amanda Heinritz into UPSTACK as a Partner and equity stakeholder, and supports UPSTACK's strategy to scale its cloud and internet infrastructure sourcing platform (backed by a prior $50 million equity investment from Berkshire Partners).

Digital Alpha Advisors has made a $185 million investment in WeLink, a fixed-wireless broadband provider, becoming the company’s leading outside investor and taking board seats. The growth capital will fund WeLink’s network expansion and subscriber acquisition as it scales from its Las Vegas footprint into additional U.S. metro areas (including Phoenix and Tucson).

Boston Omaha Corporation, through its wholly owned subsidiary FIF Utah LLC, has agreed to acquire substantially all of the assets of Utah Broadband, LLC for $21.6 million in cash plus a 20% membership interest in FIF Utah issued to Utah Broadband's CEO Steve McGhie. The transaction (expected to close within ~30 days subject to customary conditions) will leave Mr. McGhie with a 20% ownership stake and gives Boston Omaha an 80% initial stake as it plans significant capital investment to expand fiber-to-the-home service across the region.

Wilson Electronics has acquired SignalTeQ, the maker of the CellLinQ Meter + App, to integrate SignalTeQ's cellular site-surveying tools into Wilson's professional installation workflow. The purchase aims to streamline commercial installations of Wilson's cellular signal amplifiers, improving installation speed and reliability for integrators and enterprise customers.

Tower Arch Capital has partnered with CCI Network Services, a Salt Lake City-based provider of mission-critical voice, data and cloud solutions, to provide investment capital to support CCI's growth and acquisitions. The transaction preserves CCI's co-founders in management and aims to expand the company's services, capabilities and national footprint.