As the tech and telecom industries become more consolidated than ever before, it can be a real challenge to keep up with the all the happenings on the business and finance side of the industry.
We're here to help make sense of the mergers and acquisitions that are reshaping the industry's business landscape.
Do you think we missed something? Send us an email at fiercenetwork@questex.com. We will continue to update this story throughout the year.
Jan. 26 - IonQ acquires SkyWater Technology for $1.8B
Quantum computing firm IonQ announced it would buy chipmaker SkyWater Technology for $1.8 billion. IonQ will use SkyWater's facilities to begin testing its planned 200,000-qubit chips in 2028, according to a press release.
"With SkyWater, IonQ strengthens its position as the only vertically integrated full-stack quantum platform company, with embedded access to a Trusted U.S. foundry," the company stated.
Jan. 20 - Verizon closes $20B Frontier acquisition
Shortly after receiving California regulatory approval, Verizon closed its $20 billion acquisition of Frontier Communications on January 20. The combined companies will have a reach of nearly 30 million fiber passings across 31 states and Washington D.C.
Verizon in a press release stated the transaction "is expected to unlock significant cross-sell opportunities with access to a high-quality customer base in markets that are complementary to Verizon’s existing fiber markets."
Jan. 5 - Point Broadband merges with Clearwave Fiber
Fiber ISP Point Broadband entered an agreement to combine with Clearwave Fiber, a joint venture owned by Cable One and some private equity firms. The deal is expected to create "one of the largest independent fiber operators in the United States" across 12 states and reach more than 500,000 homes and businesses, said the press release.
Jan. 1 — Private equity firms acquire WOW! for $1.5B
DigitalBridge Group and Crestview Partners announced they have completed their previously announced acquisition of fiber ISP WideOpenWest (WOW!). The company's new owners paid $5.20 per share — about $1.5 billion in total — and took the company private at the deal's close.
"As a private company, WOW! will have strategic flexibility and resources to compete more effectively in its markets and pursue long-term growth," said Crestview's Brian Cassidy, president and head of media, said in a press release.
DigitalBridge's Senior Managing Director and Head of Fiber, Jonathan Friesel, affirmed the new owners' intention to invest in "network and customer experience enhancements."
This is a running story and will be updated periodically. Click here to explore last year's M&A tracker.