Archtop Fiber to buy NY broadband provider GTel
Archtop Fiber says it has agreed to a stock purchase agreement with fellow Northeast U.S. broadband services provider GTel for an undisclosed sum. The sale is expected to close next year, subject to customer conditions, and will position Archtop Fiber to provide services in more than five townships in New York's southern Columbia County.
Based in Germantown, NY, and active since 1905, GTel provides triple-play services in such communities as Clermont, Linlithgo, Livingston, and Taghkanic as well as its home town. The family-owned company recently expanded its network to cover over 5,000 locations, almost tripling its legacy footprint, thanks to three grants from the New NY Broadband Program. As a result, its broadband network now includes more than 300 miles of fiber-optic cable.
“Archtop Fiber could not be a more perfect choice to carry on the legacy of GTel. After 95 years of dedicated service, we are pleased to pass the torch to the Archtop team who will expand the reach of best-in-class internet and voice services to our communities, especially as the need for innovation and jobs continues to grow at an accelerated pace,” said Bruce Bohnsack, president of GTel. “From a small business with just two telephone lines in 1905 to a leading, fiber-first internet, video, and voice service provider today, the four generations of Bohnsack family management – coupled with experienced local staff – have grown this company from the ground up, which truly has been a labor of love. Now it’s time for a new chapter. Our family, the GTel staff and the communities served can’t wait to see what happens next with the telecom experts at Archtop leading the way. The future is truly bright for the region.”
“We are honored GTel has entrusted us to continue the remarkable legacy it has established over nearly a century. Just like GTel, we are committed to innovation and building a brighter future for our neighbors in southern Columbia County and beyond,” said Jeff DeMond, founder and CEO of Archtop Fiber. “We have a deep-rooted relationship with GTel and are proud to keep the company’s momentum going. We will leverage our knowledge and experience to expand digital growth and bring even more jobs and tech-driven opportunities to this vibrant area.”
Archtop Fiber opened for business this past August in Kingston, NY, backed by a $350 million investment by Post Road Group, a digital infrastructure and real estate investment firm. The company plans to provide multigigabit, fiber-based broadband services across the U.S. Northeast (see "Archtop Fiber enters broadband market with focus on U.S. Northeast" on Lightwave sibling site Broadband Technology Report).
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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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