MetroNet grows into Minnesota through Jaguar Communications buy
Fiber-based triple-play services provider MetroNet will now serve customers in Minnesota with the acquisition of Owatonna, MN-based Jaguar Communications. The gigabit fiber-optic internet company serves Owatonna, Mankato, Rochester, and other Minnesota communities. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. However, MetroNet has pledged to spend at least $150 million to further expand its footprint in the state.
Founded in 1999, Jaguar Communications operates in Carver, Scott, Dakota, Nicollett, Le Sueur, Rice, Blue Earth, Waseca, Steele, Dodge, Olmstead, Freeborn, and Mower counties in Minnesota via a 2,000-mile fiber-optic network ring. MetroNet says it plans to leverage Jaguar’s fiber network to provide these markets with MetroNet’s products. The two companies are expected to fully integrate under the MetroNet brand over the next few months and integrate all MetroNet product line features in early 2021.
“Jaguar Communications shares our vision of providing customer-focused, fiber-optic telecommunication services to homes and businesses,” said MetroNet President John Cinelli. “As we grow our fiber-optic network in Minnesota, Jaguar Communications is a perfect fit. We look forward to fully integrating as a company, and we welcome them into the MetroNet family.”
MetroNet began operations in 2005 with a fiber-optic network in Greencastle, IN. It now serves more than 80 communities across Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Florida. This is not its first acquisition (see, for example, "MetroNet Fiber expands into Michigan with LightSpeed Fiber acquisition").
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Stephen Hardy | Editorial Director and Associate Publisher, Lightwave
Stephen Hardy is editorial director and associate publisher of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report, part of the Lighting & Technology Group at Endeavor Business Media. Stephen is responsible for establishing and executing editorial strategy across the both brands’ websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products. He has covered the fiber-optics space for more than 20 years, and communications and technology for more than 35 years. During his tenure, Lightwave has received awards from Folio: and the American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE) for editorial excellence. Prior to joining Lightwave in 1997, Stephen worked for Telecommunications magazine and the Journal of Electronic Defense.
Stephen has moderated panels at numerous events, including the Optica Executive Forum, ECOC, and SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. He also is program director for the Lightwave Innovation Reviews and the Diamond Technology Reviews.
He has written numerous articles in all aspects of optical communications and fiber-optic networks, including fiber to the home (FTTH), PON, optical components, DWDM, fiber cables, packet optical transport, optical transceivers, lasers, fiber optic testing, and more.
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