Telecommunications Acquisitions in Virginia

SES has completed its acquisition of Intelsat, creating a strengthened multi-orbit satellite operator with an expanded fleet and combined capabilities across GEO, MEO and access to LEO. The deal brings together complementary satellite assets, ground networks and teams to expand government, aviation, maritime and media connectivity offerings and capture cost synergies.

Casa del Fuego Family Office and Trust has acquired 100% of Digital Global Systems Inc. (DGS) in a $5.0 billion stock purchase, making DGS a wholly owned subsidiary. The family office intends to accelerate commercialization and deployment of DGS's patented AI-driven spectrum optimization and RF-awareness technologies while leaving the company's executive leadership in place.

KCI's telecommunications division has acquired Advanced Telecommunications Solutions (ATS), a Richmond, Virginia-based installer of wireless industry equipment. The acquisition brings 16 ATS team members to KCI and expands KCI's telecommunications installation capabilities and geographic presence in Virginia.

iQSTEL Inc. agreed to acquire a 51% membership interest in Lynk Telecom (Lynktel), adding an estimated $20 million in annual revenue and $1 million in annual net income. The transaction strengthens iQSTEL's U.S. presence by integrating Lynk Telecom's wholesale and retail telecom services and is expected to close by July 1, 2024 following due diligence.

EarthLink has acquired the fiber-optic and fixed wireless network assets of BroadAspect, boosting EarthLink Business's East Coast network footprint and service offerings. BroadAspect will continue to operate as a managed IT and cybersecurity firm while EarthLink assumes control of the network and related clientele.

Iridium Communications has agreed to acquire Satelles, a provider of satellite-based Satellite Time and Location (STL) services that harden and complement GNSS timing and location systems. Iridium will pay about $115 million for the remaining ~80% of Satelles (it already owned ~20%), will fold STL into a new Iridium business line led by Satelles CEO Dr. Michael O'Connor, and expects the capability to drive significant service revenue growth.

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.

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.

Mobile Communications America, Inc. (MCA) has acquired Tidewater Communications & Electronics, Inc., a Virginia Beach–based full-service wireless integrator founded in 1956. The acquisition expands MCA’s presence in Virginia and brings Tidewater’s technical team and customer relationships into the MCA organization; owner Tina DeLancey will transition into the MCA organization during the integration.

SES, via its wholly-owned subsidiary SES Government Solutions (SES GS), completed the $450 million acquisition of DRS Global Enterprise Solutions (DRS GES) from Leonardo DRS. The deal combines DRS GES with SES GS to create a scaled multi-orbit satellite communications solutions provider focused on expanding US Government business, unlocking about $25 million of annualized synergies and broadening SES's government-focused capabilities.

Lumine Group, a division of Volaris Group (part of Constellation Software), has acquired TOMIA, a provider of global connectivity monetization software that optimizes inter‑carrier business processes including roaming, clearing and interconnect. TOMIA will operate as an autonomous business within Lumine, leveraging Lumine's communications software ecosystem to drive growth around 5G, IoT and cloud technologies.

Hastings Equity Partners announced that its portfolio company MKD Electric has invested in XS Telecom (XSTele.com, LLC), a Warrenton, Virginia-based provider of voice and data network cable design, installation and support for data centers and Fortune 500 clients. The transaction is an add-on to MKD’s industrial automation and electrical services platform to expand its data center capabilities; Graycliff Partners provided financing for the deal.

Chicago-based private equity firm Xyresic Capital acquired Tele-Town Hall LLC, a mass-communications services provider. Dallas-based Capital Southwest Corporation backed the transaction by providing a senior secured first-lien term loan and a second-lien term loan and will act as administrative agent on the facility.

SIB Fixed Cost Reduction, a portfolio company of O2 Investment Partners, has acquired Sage Management, a provider of telecom cost-optimization services and the inFuse SaaS platform with blockchain-enabled intercarrier billing. The deal is an add-on to SIB's platform to expand its telecom capabilities and scale Sage's software-driven services; Sage's leadership will remain post-transaction.

Mobile Communications America (MCA) has acquired Madel Enterprises, LLC, a Richmond, Virginia-based provider of electrical, low-voltage, security and audiovisual solutions. The acquisition expands MCA's security and low-voltage capabilities and strengthens its regional footprint in Virginia.

Searchlight Capital Partners, together with Simple Broadband LLC, made a strategic growth investment in All Points Broadband to accelerate the Virginia- and mid‑Atlantic-focused ISP's fiber-to-the-home and fixed wireless expansion. The capital will support All Points Broadband's initiative to scale rural FTTH buildouts through partnerships with electric utilities and local communities to bridge the digital divide.

Telarus, the largest privately held technology services distributor, has acquired Comtel Communications, a Richmond, Virginia-based telecom master agency. The deal expands Telarus' partner network and resources to support Comtel's subagents, aiming to drive growth, secure partnerships, and improve partner earnings and support.

Codan Limited has agreed to acquire 100% of US-based Domo Tactical Communications (DTC) from a private equity owner. DTC, a specialist in high-bandwidth wireless MIMO mesh networks serving military, intelligence and public safety customers, has around 140 employees and will broaden Codan's tactical communications capabilities and product offering.

I Squared Capital agreed to acquire GTT Communications' infrastructure division for $2.15 billion. The sale transfers a global fiber network, transatlantic subsea cables and data center/colocation assets to I Squared (later relaunched as EXA Infrastructure), allowing GTT to refocus on its capex‑light cloud networking business.

Intelsat agreed to acquire the commercial aviation business of Gogo for $400 million in cash, combining Intelsat's global satellite network with Gogo's installed base of more than 3,000 commercial aircraft. The deal (approved by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia) is intended to expand Intelsat's in-flight broadband capabilities and deliver integrated IFEC solutions to airlines and passengers.

Kymeta Corporation has acquired Lepton Global Solutions LLC, making Lepton a wholly owned subsidiary to combine Kymeta's antenna and connectivity products with Lepton's turnkey satellite services. The acquisition is intended to accelerate Kymeta's ability to pursue U.S. defense, intelligence, and government opportunities by expanding service capabilities and delivering bundled satellite and hybrid connectivity solutions.

Battle Investment Group has acquired Oceus, a provider of tactical 4G/5G communications and C5ISR integration services, and provided additional capital to support product development and cybersecurity enhancements. The transaction coincides with a leadership restructure at Oceus, naming Jeff Harman President and Brad Antle Executive Chairman to drive growth in DoD and civilian 5G deployments.

Thompson Street Capital Partners' platform company BCM One has acquired nexVortex, a Herndon, Virginia-based provider of managed SIP trunking services to more than 6,000 customers. The add-on expands BCM One's SIP platform and managed services footprint and brings new offices in Herndon, Virginia and Grand Rapids, Michigan; terms were not disclosed.

Samsung Electronics (through its U.S. arm) has acquired TeleWorld Solutions, a Chantilly, Virginia–based network services provider. The acquisition expands Samsung's U.S. network services and 5G capabilities—TeleWorld will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics America with its leadership team remaining in place.

Comstar Technologies, a portfolio company of Wincove Private Holdings, has acquired northern Virginia-based E-Tel Systems Corporation. The add-on strengthens Comstar's technology and telecommunications presence in the Washington D.C. metro area and supports the founder's retirement and customer continuity.

Funds managed by SDC Capital Partners have acquired a majority interest in Summit Infrastructure Group (SummitIG) in a majority recapitalization. Columbia Capital retains a material ownership stake; the transaction provides SummitIG with additional capital and operational support to accelerate expansion of its dark fiber network in Virginia and into new markets.

Vista Equity Partners has agreed to acquire 100% of Starhome Mach from Fortissimo Capital and will merge the business with its existing portfolio company Telarix to create an end-to-end roaming and interconnect software provider for global telecommunications carriers. The combined company, to be headquartered in Vienna, Virginia and led by Telarix's CEO, will offer integrated solutions across roaming, clearing, settlement, routing and fraud prevention to carriers and MVNOs worldwide.