Gateway Fiber and WANRack have announced a merger to create a national fiber-to-the-premises (FTTX) platform serving residential, business, and educational customers across 25 US states. "The merger of the two companies results in greater scale, improved operations, and growth opportunities," the companies said in a joint statement on Monday.
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Gateway Fiber and WANRack Join Forces
Gateway Fiber, an FTTP developer and operator founded in 2019, serves residential and commercial customers in Missouri, Massachusetts, and Minnesota. WANRack, launched in 2013, is an integrated broadband provider that serves school districts and libraries through its E-Rate program, as well as residential and commercial customers in eastern Kansas via its KWIKOM subsidiary.
The combined company aims to accelerate fiber expansion, improve operational efficiency, and enhance product offerings for small and medium businesses, as well as wholesale and commercial customers. A fund owned by CBRE Investment Management is the majority owner of both Gateway Fiber and WANRack.
Customer Impact and Leadership Continuity
"Today, more than half of US households don't have access to fiber internet, and many school districts lack sufficient bandwidth for their students," said the CEO of the new company.
"As two high-growth fiber companies in our portfolio, bringing WANRack and Gateway Fiber's complementary capabilities together made strategic sense," said the Managing Director, Private Infrastructure at CBRE IM. "This positions the combined company to benefit from the opportunity to scale, diversify offerings in new markets, and unlock growth."
The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2025, pending regulatory approvals. Customers will continue to receive uninterrupted service, and key leadership from both companies will remain part of the executive team.
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KWIKOM Communications
KWIKOM Communications, founded in 2010 in Iola, Kansas, provides phone and internet services to 75 counties across Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Florida. Acquired by WANRack in 2023, KWIKOM uses fiber optic and fixed wireless technology to deliver high-speed, low-latency connections. Since 2017, the company has expanded its fiber network to enhance high-speed connectivity.