Network Bytes: DQE, Windstream, enet

Here’s some other network news from the start of this week that’s worth a look:

Out in western Pennsylvania, DQE Communications is moving into the cloud connectivity space. They have launched Cloud Solution, which hooks up enterprises to the likes of Amazon AWS and Microsoft Azure via a private connection. DQE’s regional footprint spans some 3050+ route miles centered on Pittsburgh, connecting more than 1,500 commercial buildings.

Windstream has completed its latest acquisition, that of Broadview Networks, for $227.5M in cash. Broadview had spent much of the last decade converting a traditional CLEC model into one that takes cloud and managed services to the SMB space. Broadview’s COO, Brian Crotty, will be taking over leadership of Windstream’s mid-market and SMB division. Windstream expects $30M in annual synergies.   With both EarthLink and Broadview in hand, one wonders what the company’s next consolidation target might be — perhaps something out west?

And we have a bit of M&A from over in Ireland. The ownership of the Irish wholesale provider enet is changing from one set of private equity hands to another. The Irish Infrastructure Fund is acquiring a 78% stake in the operator, joining existing shareholder Granaham McCourt Capital while taking over from Oakhill Advisors and some other minority investors. The new ownership hopes to take the company’s model to the broader European marketplace.

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Categories: Mergers and Acquisitions · Metro fiber