Once completed, the new acquisition will enable Bluebird to strengthen its fibre services and high-bandwidth network solutions for cell towers, hospitals, schools, government facilities as well as other businesses.
“Bluebird is thrilled for the opportunity to support INA in this new role,” said Michael Morey, president and CEO of Bluebird Network. “This acquisition will further our legacy as one of the leading fibre providers in the Midwest and grow our efficiencies and offerings to our customers.”
In addition, as Bluebird has served as manager of INA, as owners Bluebird will be able to strategically expand its capabilities and offerings between INA and other Bluebird infrastructures. The company says that both networks will be grown together and expanded further into new and underserved areas.
In all, Bluebird supports enterprise, carrier and data centre customers through its portfolio of network services that includes secure and reliable bandwidth, metro Ethernet, wide area network Ethernet, dedicated Internet access, E-Line services, Ethernet virtual private LAN service (E-LAN) and mobile backhaul transport services.
Subject to the usual regulatory approvals and other customary terms and conditions, the deal is expected to close by Q2 of 2020.
The news comes off the back of Bluebird’s acquisition by Macquarie Infrastructure Partners. The deal for an undisclosed amount, will see Macquarie Infrastructure Partners, part of the Macquarie Group, take control of the company with Uniti Group helping to fund the deal. While at the same time, Bluebird will acquire Uniti’s Midwestern fibre business and receive a long-term lease of the company’s 2,500-mile network in that region.
