Lightower gains rights to key fiber network in greater Boston area making the company one of the largest metro fiber providers in the country
BOXBOROUGH, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Lightower Fiber Networks, a leading metro fiber network and bandwidth service provider based in Boxborough, MA, announced today that it has signed a long-term agreement to license all remaining fiber optic network capacity of NSTAR Communications, Inc. NSTAR Communications is a wholly owned subsidiary of NSTAR (NYSE:NST), an energy delivery company headquartered in Boston. Under the terms of the agreement, Lightower secures exclusive rights to all available fiber optic capacity on the NSTAR Communications network, including fiber optic backbone routes and the paths to many buildings.
The addition of the NSTAR Communications fiber network will further enhance the reach and density of Lightower’s all-fiber network in downtown Boston and in the surrounding greater Boston area, including the Route 128 business district. The NSTAR Communications network is comprised of over 280 fiber route miles which provide access to over 225 commercial buildings.
This announcement builds upon a series of strategic acquisitions and agreements undertaken by Lightower to service major metropolitan areas and to connect its fiber network up and down the Northeast. Company revenues have increased 20 percent in each of the last two years, and the workforce now eclipses 200, making Lightower one of the largest and most profitable metro fiber providers in the United States.
“We are pleased to add the NSTAR Communications network to our existing network in and around Boston, confirming our position as the leading fiber provider in the Northeast,” stated Rob Shanahan, CEO of Lightower. “This new enhanced network, including the core downtown Boston fiber asset, will enable us to capitalize on and accelerate company growth, and instantly provides Lightower with the ability to service more customers, more buildings and more routes.”
The agreement leverages two of the most extensive fiber networks in the Boston area and supports Lightower’s mission of owning and operating a dense, next-generation fiber network that provides a complete portfolio of high-bandwidth services utilizing end-to-end fiber connectivity. The combined network significantly increases Lightower’s fiber backbone mileage as well as last-mile fiber access into commercial buildings throughout Boston and the surrounding communities.
Lightower’s current network is comprised of over 5,500 fiber route miles and access to over 2,100 commercial buildings, data centers, Telco hotels, and other critical interconnection facilities. Lightower’s footprint extends throughout Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York, including Long Island and New York City. In addition, Lightower offers nationwide long haul services to Chicago, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Denver, Phoenix, San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Sacramento.
Lightower Fiber Networks is backed by M/C Venture Partners, Pamlico Capital, and Ridgemont Equity Partners.
The agreement with NSTAR Communications and the expansion of its Boston metro networks follows five other major agreements and acquisitions by Lightower in just over three years. Most recently, Lightower completed the acquisition of Lexent Metro Connect and announced the acquisition of Open Access Inc., both of which expanded the company’s network and customer base in the greater New York City region. Earlier in 2010, Lightower acquired Veroxity Technology Partners. In 2008, Lightower acquired DataNet Communications and Keyspan Communications.
About Lightower Fiber Networks
Lightower Fiber Networks is a leading fiber network and broadband service provider in the Northeast, offering over 5,500 fiber route miles coupled with comprehensive transport, alternative access, and nationwide long haul services. Lightower’s fiber footprint extends from New England, to eastern New York State, northern New Jersey, Long Island, and New York City. With access to over 2,100 buildings, Lightower offers unparalleled regional density, performance, scalability, security, and reliability in the Northeast. Lightower Fiber is headquartered in Boxborough, MA. For more information, visit www.lightower.com or call 888-LT-FIBER.
Contacts
for Lightower Fiber Networks
Travis Small, 617-391-9654
tsmall@rasky.com
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