Integra to acquire opticAccess for West Coast fiber-optic network

Fiber-optic network services provider Integra says it has agreed to buy opticAccess, LLC, which operates a 3,500 route mile fiber-optic network that runs from Seattle to San Diego. Terms of the deal, including the purchase price, were not disclosed. Integra hopes to close the sale in the fourth quarter of this year.

Integra expects the acquisition will boost its West Coast metro fiber network footprint. In fact, Integra asserts it will have dense, unique metro fiber routes "in all major western markets." The new assets also will enhance its West Coast long-haul route with a diverse low-latency path for primary and protected routes from Seattle to Los Angeles.

opticAccess serves large enterprise and domestic and international carrier customers. Integra believes that the addition of the opticAccess footprint will expand its addressable near-net demand (defined as telecom spend within 2,500 feet of its more than 4,000 route mile metro fiber network) by about 40%. That total could increase with new additional fiber network expansion.

"The acquisition of opticAccess reinforces Integra's fiber-centric network investment and growth strategy, and reaffirms our standing as one of the largest regional fiber network operators in the United States," said Robert E. Guth, CEO of Integra. "The combined assets of the two companies will significantly expand Integra's network reach and improve our ability to deliver the high-bandwidth, high-reliability network solutions that our sophisticated wholesale, government and enterprise customers demand."

The acquisition of opticAccess comes after Integra unveiled a new business model in which it created two business units, one each focused on major customers and mid-sized customers (see "Integra adds Electric Lightwave, Integra Business fiber network units").

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