Conterra Networks Completes $580 Million Debt Capital Raise

Conterra Ultra Broadband Holdings, Inc. ("Conterra Networks", "Conterra" or "the Company"), a national leader in providing fiber-optic network-based infrastructure and services, announced today the completion of a debt capital raise totaling $580 million, which will be used to refinance existing credit facilities, optimize Conterra's capital structure, and provide additional capacity to support Conterra's growth.

Conterra Networks, headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, is one of the largest independent local providers of fiber-based services in the United States, with a 14,000-route mile fiber network that brings high-capacity middle and last-mile fiber-based services to telecommunication carriers, school districts, and commercial customers across 14 states in the Southeast, South Central and Western US. Conterra is owned by affiliates of each of APG Group NV ("APG") and Fiera Infrastructure Inc. ("Fiera Infrastructure"). 

The structure is a first of its kind within the digital market in the USA. Key highlights of the debt capital raise include:

• Investment Grade-Rated Senior Structure: senior facilities comprised of a term loan and revolving credit facilities being provided by CIBC, National Bank of Canada, NordLB, SMBC and Export Development Canada, as well as senior notes being provided by MetLife Investment Management and IFM. The private investment grade rating is underpinned by the long-term infrastructure characteristics of Conterra's assets and business, which provide essential telecommunications services to carriers, schools and commercial customers.

• Structurally Subordinated Midco Term Facility: provided by Nomura, this component further optimizes the Company's capital structure.

Jamie Crotin, Managing Director of Fiera Infrastructure, said, "We appreciate the strong support of Conterra's new lenders and look forward to working with them as Conterra continues to grow its business." 

Steven Hason, Managing Director and Head of Americas Real Assets at APG, further commented, "This successful refinancing with leading lenders underscores the quality of Conterra's network. The proceeds from refinancing will be aimed at funding responsible growth and creating long-term value in the communities that Conterra's networks serve, as well as for the Company's investors." 

Craig Gunderson, President & CEO of Conterra, commented, "This refinancing provides Conterra with growth capital to support our continued expansion to densify our network in our focus areas and launch additional advanced services for our customers." Steve Keaveney, CFO of Conterra, echoed similar sentiments and added, "We are extremely pleased with the outcome of the refinancing, which offers significant operating flexibility to Conterra. We are delighted to build a long-term partnership with our new lender partners."

Advisors and Agents
Daiwa Corporate Advisory LLC (DC Advisory) and TD Securities acted as financial advisors and placement agents and Latham & Watkins acted as legal counsel to Conterra. White & Case acted as lender counsel on the refinancing.

About Conterra Networks
Conterra Networks is a national leader in the design, deployment, and operation of fiber-optic network-based services, providing advanced high-capacity communications networks to education, healthcare, government, carrier, and enterprise customers across the United States. With over 14,000 route miles of fiber and more than 8,000 on-net locations, Conterra offers a robust, flexible, and secure fiber network backbone optimized for low-latency and high-bandwidth applications. Conterra is owned by affiliates of APG and Fiera Infrastructure.

About APG
As the largest pension provider in the Netherlands APG looks after the pensions of 4.6 million participants. APG provides executive consultancy, asset management, pension administration, pension communication and employer services. We work for pension funds and employers in the sectors of education, government, construction, cleaning, housing associations, sheltered employment organizations, medical specialists, and architects. APG manages approximately €569 billion (December 2023) in pension assets. With approximately 4,500 employees we work from Heerlen, Amsterdam, Brussels, New York, Hong Kong, Singapore and Shanghai.

APG has been an active infrastructure investor since 2004, investing approximately €26.0 billion to date and managing over 36 direct stakes in portfolio companies. APG's investments include assets within energy and utilities, telecommunications, and transport infrastructure.

About Fiera Infrastructure
Fiera Infrastructure is a leading global mid-market direct infrastructure investor operating across all subsectors of the infrastructure asset class and an affiliate of Fiera Capital Corporation. Led by a team of highly experienced and specialized professionals, the firm leverages strong global relationships, with a local presence in Toronto, London, and New York. Its rigorous approach to investment and asset management aligns with its long-term approach. Fiera Infrastructure has assets under management and commitments of C$4.0 billion as of March 31, 2024. The firm has invested in more than 90 infrastructure assets across telecommunications, renewables, transportation, and public-private partnerships.

Leading Technology Solutions Providers Ascend Technologies and Edafio Announce Merger, Elevating Client Solutions

Ascend Technologies and Edafio, both distinguished Technology Solutions Providers under the ownership of M/C Partners, proudly announce their merger, forming a unified entity under the name Ascend Technologies. This alliance represents an unparalleled commitment to enhancing client experiences and offering a holistic, high-value solution set for its clients.

Through this strategic collaboration, which makes Ascend one of the largest technology services companies in the central U.S., Ascend will leverage the deep, collective talent and solutions from both companies, providing its clients with unparalleled technology guidance and service delivery. The synergy of the two companies’ extensive IT industry expertise offers access to a comprehensive and innovative suite of offerings, including cybersecurity, cloud, infrastructure, service desk, Salesforce, and Microsoft solutions.

As sister companies, Ascend and Edafio have collaboratively worked together for the past two years, fostering a strong partnership and shared success. This history of collaboration sets the stage for an impactful merger.

As Ascend embarks on this transformative journey, their teams will unite under the executive leadership of:
• Kenny Kinley, President & Chief Executive Officer
• Dana Bailey, Chief Revenue Officer
• Don Swartz, Chief Operations Officer
• Kevin Schulhof, Chief Financial Officer
• Christina Nugent, Executive Vice President, Salesforce & Application Solutions
• Brian Hutchins, Senior Vice President, Strategic FP&A
• Brigid Gallagher, Vice President, Human Resources

"I am honored to lead this unified entity as the CEO of our newly merged organization, bringing together the strengths and expertise of two exceptional companies,” says Kenny Kinley. “Our commitment to client-centric service remains unwavering and this merger is also a testament to our collective dedication to continue to provide industry-leading solutions. We will ensure the success of our clients is at the cornerstone of every decision we make and are poised to redefine the landscape of technology solutions.”

"We are excited about the endless possibilities this merger unlocks," says Dana Bailey, CRO "As trusted partners in achieving success together, our main focus is on delivering excellence to our valued clients and partners."

About Ascend Technologies:
Ascend Technologies is a renowned Technology Solution Provider committed to empowering leaders with confident technology investments. Ascend’s information technology professionals help business leaders eliminate cybersecurity threats, meet the needs of the organization, and optimize user productivity — making technology the catalyst for business expansion. For more information, visit teamascend.com.

About Edafio:
Edafio is an award-winning Arkansas-based Technology Solution Provider who recognizes that today's technology must be smart, reliable, adaptable, and secure. Delivering IT solutions at the highest level, from cloud computing to proactive cybersecurity strategies, with a team as impressive as their tech. Edafio’s local, practical support is focused on one thing: client success. For more information, visit edafio.com.

About M/C Partners:
M/C Partners is a private equity firm focused on small and mid-size businesses in the digital infrastructure and technology services sectors. For more than three decades M/C Partners has invested $2.7 billion of capital in over 140 companies, leveraging its deep industry expertise to understand long-term secular trends and identify growth opportunities. The firm is currently investing its ninth fund, partnering with promising companies and leadership teams to support, scale, and improve operations and maximize value. For more information, visit mcpartners.com.

Sixth Street Joins GI Partners to Accelerate Growth at Blue Stream Fiber

Strategic Investment Backs Blue Stream Fiber’s Mission to Provide Exceptional Broadband Services to Homeowner and Condo Associations

GI Partners, a leading investor in data infrastructure businesses, announced today that it has closed a deal to welcome Sixth Street, a leading global investment firm, as a strategic investor in Blue Stream Fiber (“Blue Stream” or the “Company”). The transaction provides Blue Stream Fiber with additional resources to expand as it continues to provide leading fiber-optic connectivity services to residential and commercial customers.

Headquartered in Coral Springs, Florida, Blue Stream Fiber provides 10 gigabit broadband, as well as video and voice services, over state-of-the-art fiber-optic networks to housing associations and neighborhoods under long-term, contracted bulk service agreements. Since GI Partners’ acquisition of Blue Stream Fiber in 2020, the Company has grown rapidly throughout Florida, with a focus on providing best-in-class services and customer experience. The investment by Sixth Street will support growth in Blue Stream Fiber’s existing markets, expansion to additional geographies across the country, and strengthen Blue Stream Fiber’s commitment to providing excellent customer service.

GI Partners will continue to hold a majority stake in the Company.

“Blue Stream Fiber’s customer experience is the foundation of what makes us unique in the fiber-to-the-home space. Through our partnership with GI Partners and Sixth Street, we will build upon our 45-year history and take our first steps towards our national expansion plans,” said Joe Canavan, Chief Executive Officer of Blue Stream Fiber.

“We are pleased to support Blue Stream Fiber’s relentless focus on delivering highly reliable, cost-effective connectivity solutions to residential and commercial customers, and we’re excited to partner with Blue Stream Fiber’s management team and GI Partners to support the Company through this next phase of growth,” said Bornah Moghbel, Co-Founder and Partner of Sixth Street.

“We are very proud of all that the Blue Stream Fiber team has accomplished since beginning our ownership in 2020 and are looking forward to our new partnership with Sixth Street,” said Mark Prybutok, Managing Director and Co-Head of GI Partners Data Infrastructure.

Lazard acted as exclusive financial advisor, and Ropes & Gray LLP served as legal counsel to Blue Stream Fiber and GI Partners.

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP served as legal counsel to Sixth Street.

About Blue Stream Fiber

Blue Stream Fiber provides customers with the most advanced broadband and television products, all over 100% gigabit capable networks. With a 45-year history of providing customers with local and high-touch customer service, Blue Stream Fiber is a welcome alternative and trusted telecommunication partner compared to the incumbent providers. For more information, please visit www.bluestreamfiber.com.

About GI Data Infrastructure

Founded in 2001, GI Partners is a private investment firm with over 150 employees and offices in San Francisco, New York, Dallas, Chicago, Greenwich, Scottsdale and London. The firm has raised more than $42 billion in capital and invests on behalf of leading institutional investors around the world through its private equity, real estate, and data infrastructure strategies. The private equity team invests primarily in companies in the healthcare, services and software sectors. The real estate strategy focuses primarily on technology and life sciences properties as well as other specialized types of real estate. The data infrastructure team invests primarily in hard asset infrastructure businesses underpinning the digital economy. For more information, please visit www.gipartners.com.

About Sixth Street

Sixth Street is a leading global investment firm with over $75 billion in assets under management and committed capital. Sixth Street uses its long-term flexible capital, data-enabled capabilities, and One Team culture to develop themes and offer solutions to companies across all stages of growth. The firm has more than 500 team members including more than 200 investment professionals operating around the world. For more information, visit www.sixthstreet.com.

M/C Partners announce a significant growth investment in AccessParks

AccessParks Raises Private Equity Funding Round for Broadband Expansion

M/C Partners, a leading private equity firm focused on digital infrastructure and technology services sectors, is excited to announce a significant growth investment in AccessParks. Established in 2016, the Company provides high-performance Broadband connectivity to RV Parks, National and State Parks, and Manufactured Housing Communities ("MHC") nationwide. The investment will drive accelerated growth across AccessParks' business lines and capital for strategic acquisitions.

"The M/C Partners team brings incredible knowledge and resources that will allow us to continue to push the envelope in technology, performance, and support," said Tim Rout, Founder. Tim added, "We are thrilled to execute further technological innovations that will delight customers as we continue our rapid growth that cements our role as the market leader."

Tim and the existing management team will work alongside Alan Rosenberg, who has joined AccessParks as CEO. Alan brings deep experience leading internet operators through exponential expansion, most recently as CEO of Upstream Network and before that as CEO of Business Only Broadband. Founder and former CEO Tim Rout and COO Tony Perkins will maintain leadership roles within the Company. “I’m excited to join this innovative team and lead the scaling of our accelerated growth and operational platform,” stated Alan Rosenberg.

"There has been a massive surge in Americans visiting the outdoors, and AccessParks has been changing industry expectations for quality and reliability of connectivity in the industry," said Brian Clark, Managing Partner at M/C Partners. "AccessParks’ deep understanding of this industry and commitment to exceptional client experience is essential to being a market leader."

This partnership between M/C Partners and AccessParks will drive innovation and growth by bringing new broadband solutions to the outdoor hospitability and manufactured housing markets.

About AccessParks

AccessParks is the first and only Broadband provider in outdoor hospitality and manufactured housing communities ("MHC") to offer enterprise-grade connectivity, end-to-end Broadband managed services and guaranteed minimum SLAs for Internet speed. Its campground division enables Broadband access to the outdoors using fiber-optic, microwave, 5G, and Wi-Fi services. The MHC division leverages similar technologies to bring gigabit Broadband to residents. Currently, AccessParks serves over 30 million annual guests and residents with Broadband. For more information, visit www.AccessParks.com.

About M/C Partners

M/C Partners is a private equity firm focused on small and mid-size businesses in the digital infrastructure and technology services sectors. M/C Partners has invested $2.4 billion in over 140 companies for over three decades, leveraging its deep industry expertise to understand long-term secular trends and identify growth opportunities. The firm is investing its ninth fund, partnering with promising companies and leadership teams to support, scale, and improve operations and maximize value. For more information, please visit https://mcpartners.com/

telMAX is recognized as Canada's Fastest ISP, by PCMag, for second year in a row!

In 2022, the small Ontario-based provider telMax came out of nowhere to prove itself the Fastest ISP in all of Canada. In 2023, the company did it again. No other Canadian ISP comes close to its throughput speeds.

PCMag’s 2023 Fastest ISP all-around for the country is “repeat winner” telMax, a small fiber provider in regions of Ontario. Last year, telMax won as the all-around fastest with a speed index of 603.3—and at that time, the score was based on its average download and upload speeds. This year, calculating median speeds, telMax reaches 578.8. The next-fastest is Lakeland Networks, which jumps from 201.7 last year (based on average speeds) to a stellar 323.3 (median speeds) this year. In fact, the only Canadian ISP to achieve a score of 10 in speed is telMAX.

For nearly two decades, PC Mag has been putting out a yearly report on the fastest internet service providers (ISPs) in Canada. But this year they brought something bigger.

Here in 2023, they are armed with new data partners and deeper information about ISPs in Canada, which allows PCMag to rank them based not only on speed, but also on price, coverage, and customer satisfaction. This new methodology provides a fuller, rounder look at broadband service across the country and allows PCMag to zero in on the best ISPs—not just the fastest ones.

telMAX and the Town of Aurora Ink Agreement to bring High-Speed Internet to Aurora

AURORA, ONTARIO - Fiber internet service provider, telMAX today announced that they have signed an agreement with the Town of Aurora to build a fiber optic telecommunications network across Aurora, providing residents and businesses with the opportunity to receive high-speed pure fiber internet. 

telMAX, a locally based company headquartered in York Region, currently serves the communities of Brooklin, Newmarket, and Stouffville offering its 100% Pure Fibre Internet, TV, and phone service.

Residents will begin to see planning and construction crews in their Aurora neighborhoods within the next few months. This brand new telMAX infrastructure will enable Aurora customers to receive 100 percent pure fiber with synchronous speeds up to 10 Gbps delivered to their homes.

"We have developed a close working relationship with the Town of Aurora council and planning teams to work on an infrastructure update plan to bring 100% pure fiber to neighborhoods and residents throughout the town," said Stuart Roberts, CEO of telMAX.  "We believe in the importance of high-speed, reliable, and affordable Internet service whether you need that for working from home, staying connected with loved ones, or just being entertained. Uniquely, we live and work in the community. We look forward to establishing further economic and cultural partnerships as we bring Canada's fastest Internet service to all of Aurora."

"This is a very important project for the Town. We know that Aurorans increasingly need more reliable and faster internet, especially with the massive shift we've seen in the number of people working from home," said Aurora Mayor Tom Mrakas. "The reality is that access to high-speed, affordable broadband service is now a necessity, not a luxury, especially in today's economy. And what's incredibly important for us is that this project will only strengthen the Town's ability to get critical information to residents and businesses."

About telMAX

telMAX is building a 100% pure fiber network across underserved communities across Ontario.  For the past 2 years, telMAX has built its own fiber optic network in Brooklin, Newmarket, Stouffville and now Aurora. Using the latest technology, the telMAX network is capable of delivering synchronous speeds up to 10 Gbps. telMAX is based in Stouffville with an additional office hub in Newmarket and offers Fiber Broadband Internet, TV and home phone services. It proudly employs staff from the communities where it operates and is committed to supporting the local communities they serve. In June 2022, an independent assessment, by PC Magazine, recognized telMAX as the fastest internet service provider in Canada. telMAX is owned by Nova Infrastructure fund and QAI Capital.

i3 Broadband Announces the Purchase of Southeast Missouri’s Big River Broadband/Circle Fiber

Acquisition boosts broadband provider’s expansion of ultra high speed fiber optic service throughout Illinois and Missouri.

PEORIA, IL. — i3 Broadband, a leading Midwest fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) provider of 100% fiber-optic broadband service, announced today the acquisition of Big River Broadband, primarily a commercial communications company, and its wholly owned subsidiary Circle Fiber, a fiber-optic internet provider serving southeast Missouri communities. The combined companies allow i3 Broadband to further expand its ultra high-speed fiber-optic footprint to residential and commercial customers across central Illinois and eastern Missouri. i3 Broadband is expected to invest an additional $100M to grow the southeast Missouri market and provide next generation broadband services to additional communities.

“Since our launch in the St. Louis market, we have been looking for a trusted partner to accelerate the growth of our footprint in Missouri. Big River Broadband/Circle Fiber is providing state of the art products and services in southeast Missouri, making it a perfect fit.” Cronin added, “We look forward to working with Big River’s outstanding leadership team, integrating as a company, and welcoming their employees to i3 Broadband.”

Big River Broadband/Circle Fiber currently serves customers in Cape Girardeau, Perry, St. Genevieve, St. Francois, Butler, Washington, Bollinger, and Scott counties in Missouri. The acquisition allows i3 Broadband, based in Peoria, Illinois, to leverage Big River Broadband/Circle Fiber’s fiber-optic infrastructure gigabit speed upgrades in these markets as part of the company’s rapidly expanding footprint in the region. Existing Big River Broadband/Circle Fiber customers with fiber infrastructure will continue to benefit from gigabit internet speed options with no data caps, full-featured fiber phone service, and fiber IPTV as i3 Broadband looks to expand those offerings in new neighborhoods in the near future.

“Joining forces with i3 Broadband allows us to accelerate the expansion of the Circle Fiber network into more communities,” said Jerry Howe, Big River Broadband/Circle Fiber CEO. Howe adds, “We found i3 Broadband to have the same outlook and approach to bringing the latest communications services to customers, leveraging the exceptional capacity of fiber networks. We are excited about the new capabilities our merged companies will provide, tapping into a pent-up demand for our services.”

The transaction is expected to close int he second quarter of 2023. The two companies will work towards a full integration under the i3 Broadband brand in the months to come.

Smartaira Expands East with the Acquisition of Direct Plus, LLC

Smartaira's national footprint grows through acquisition, partnership, and strategic organic investment

Smartaira, a leader in community-wide Managed Wi-Fi innovation for multifamily properties, announced today that it has acquired the assets of Florida-based multifamily internet service provider Direct Plus, LLC ("Direct Plus"). The transaction expands Smartaira's footprint on the east coast and significantly increases its bulk internet and entertainment subscription base in the MDU market. Direct Plus is Smartaira's third acquisition in the last 14 months.

In conjunction with the transaction, Smartaira signed a service agreement with MasTec Advanced Technologies, one of the nation's premier "last-mile" installation and fulfillment services providers, to maintain a consistent resident experience for Direct Plus customers. The MasTec technicians that Direct Plus customers are familiar with will continue to install and service their Internet and DIRECTV solutions. The new agreement also allows Smartaira to engage the MasTec team nationally, adding depth to its strong bench of in-market technical resources.

"Smartaira is thrilled to have Direct Plus customers and associates join us in providing the best multifamily Internet and DIRECTV experience in the country," said Dan Terheggen, CEO of Smartaira. "We are also proud of our new association with MasTec, which expands Smartaira's nationwide service delivery footprint. Together we'll provide phenomenal account management, customer support, installation, and technical services to our clients, communities, and customers wherever they have the need."

"Direct Plus is excited to join forces with Smartaira, one of the country's most advanced Internet Service Providers and DIRECTV Preferred Dealers," said Tony Bello, President and CEO of Direct Plus. "The Direct Plus 'gold standard' of customer support will continue and improve with Smartaira's dedicated team of US-based professionals. For 17 years, we've competed against the largest companies on the planet to deliver multifamily Internet and DIRECTV, and we know this success will continue with Smartaira."

SDC Capital Partners, LLC ("SDC"), a global digital infrastructure investment firm with approximately $4 billion of assets under management and Smartaira's largest investor, provided capital for the acquisition. "SDC is happy to support Smartaira's continued expansion through the acquisition of Direct Plus," said Clinton Karcher, partner at SDC. "Smartaira is delivering state-of-the-art Managed Wi-Fi solutions for its customers, and we're excited to expand those service capabilities into new markets on the east coast."   

"The Direct Plus 'white glove' tradition of service will continue and improve with Smartaira's resources and innovative multifamily technology solutions," said Jose R. Mas, CEO of MasTec, Inc. "MasTec", a Fortune 500 company, has been an integral part of Direct Plus' success since 2005 by installing and servicing thousands of multifamily units. We look forward to continuing to work with Smartaira to provide exceptional service in the MDU market."

Smartaira has also been growing organically on the east coast with the addition of Stephen Layne, regional vice president of business development (VA); Rowdy Smith, director of business development (NH); and Ron Randall, director of national field service (NC). "The industry experience, relationships, and respect that these three veterans bring Smartaira are tremendous," said Robert Benton, Smartaira's Chief Marketing Officer. "When you combine the foundation provided by Direct Plus and MasTec with the business development team's energy, expertise, and opportunity—Smartaira is officially on the map in the east."

telMAX acquisition of ENVI enables faster and more reliable broadband for the Newmarket, Ontario community

Newmarket, ON – The Town of Newmarket is excited to announce the acquisition of ENVI, Newmarket’s community-owned Internet Service Provider (ISP), by telMAX. This year, telMAX was recognized by PC Magazine as the fastest internet service in Canada, “with speeds so astonishing it ran right over the competition.” In the age of remote working and the need for faster more reliable internet service, this is a critical step forward and a very significant goal achieved in Newmarket’s overall broadband strategy.

“The pandemic and working from home, has reinforced the absolute necessity for high-speed broadband in a future-oriented community,’ says Newmarket Mayor John Taylor. “Our goal has always been to ensure affordable high-speed broadband for Newmarket businesses and residents. With the creation of ENVI in 2018, we moved one step closer, and now with this sale, Newmarket will realize that goal with telMAX bringing the fastest internet service in Canada right to your doorstep.”

In 2018, the Town of Newmarket and Newmarket-Tay Power Distribution (NT Power) invested in ENVI to enhance the Town’s broadband infrastructure and improve connectivity and service for businesses across the community, with the goal of expanding to the residential market in the future. ENVI came to life as part of the Town’s Economic Development Strategy to fill the internet connectivity and service gaps experienced by local business.

The sale of ENVI accelerates the vision of bringing ultra-high-speed broadband to the entire community, in a shorter timeframe and without further investment from the shareholders. Without this sale, ENVI would have required a very significant long-term investment from its shareholders to continue to expand in a highly competitive environment.

“ENVI was created to support the strategic vision of providing universal, quality broadband and the enablement of Smart City services to all the constituents in the Town of Newmarket,” says Ian Collins, ENVI Board Chair. “Today’s announcement will accelerate our realization of that vision and ensure that the community benefits more quickly than the resources of ENVI could have done on our own.”

Since 2018, ENVI has provided super high-speed service to a wide variety of businesses in Newmarket and surrounding areas, including the Town of Newmarket and NT Power. Newmarket is now in an even better position to realize its future Smart City aspirations through reaping the community benefits of leading-edge connectivity moving into the future.

telMAX builds Fibre to the Home/Business networks which are capable of delivering both download and upload speeds of up to 10Gbs internet today. telMAX’s product offerings of Internet, TV and Phone are available in Whitby and Stouffville and will soon be available to the residents and businesses of Newmarket. telMAX was acknowledged as the fastest Internet Service Provider (ISP) in Canada by PC Magazine in June 2022, using independent sampling to determine the quality of service provided by ISP’s across the country.

“We are delighted to be working with the Town of Newmarket to expand the goal of bringing 100% fibre broadband to the community. It is a statistical fact that communities that are connected to fibre infrastructure are growth engines for the local economy,” said Stuart Roberts, CEO of telMAX. “We look forward to playing a significant role in the economic and cultural development of the Town of Newmarket and being a responsible corporate citizen.”

Newmarket as a Smart City
This ultra-high-speed broadband network aligns with Newmarket’s commitment to being a Smart City, powered by big ideas, technology, creativity and innovation.

A Smart City uses technology, data, and analytics to accelerate innovation, drive economic development, develop new efficiencies, improve sustainability, and enhance the quality of life for the residents and workers in the community. Fibre networks are the type of technology that enable future forward transformation and reinvention.

In 2019, Newmarket was named as one of the Smart21 communities by the Intelligent Community Forum, recognized as one of the 21 communities across the globe that is most ready to face the 21st century. Newmarket joined four other Canadian cities and nine other nations including Taiwan, USA, Estonia, France, Australia and New Zealand. This truly demonstrates Newmarket’s commitment to improving quality of life through technology and innovation.

About telMAX
Over the past two years telMAX has built its own fibre optic network in Whitby (Durham Region) and Stouffville (York Region). Using the latest technology, the telMAX network is capable of delivering synchronous speeds up to 10 Gbps and is positioned to be able to deliver faster speeds as equipment becomes available and demand dictates. telMAX is based in Stouffville and employs staff from the communities where it operates. It is planned that staff will be recruited from Newmarket and the surrounding area as the company grows. In June 2022, an independent assessment, by PC Magazine, recognized telMAX as the fastest internet provider in Canada 2022. telMAX offers Fibre Broadband internet, TV and phone services at highly competitive prices with industry leading levels of quality. telMAX is owned by Nova Infrastructure fund and QAI Capital.

Everywhere Wireless & SilverIP Merge to Form Largest Independent MDU-Focused Internet Service Provider in the Midwest

CHICAGO, IL. - Everywhere Wireless, Chicago's fastest growing internet service provider (ISP), today announced a merger with Chicago-based ISP, SilverIP Communications. The combined business represents the largest MDU-focused ISP in the region, serving more than 65,000 residential units in 880 buildings throughout the Chicago and Milwaukee markets. Everywhere Wireless and SilverIP were both founded on the desire to improve customers' perception of their Internet experience – by providing remarkably fast, reliable speeds combined with responsive, concierge-level customer support.

In addition to both companies' consistent 5-star customer reviews and multiple industry awards for commitment to customer service, Everywhere Wireless was recently named to Inc. 5000’s list of America's Fastest Growing Private Companies after achieving 35%+ revenue growth in 2021.

"We are excited to partner with two exceptional ISPs in Everywhere Wireless and SilverIP." said Ryan Carr, of M/C Partners, the lead investor in the combined company. "Through their customer-first approach, these newly combined organizations are uniquely positioned to revolutionize the way that home Internet services are sold, delivered and enjoyed."

To lead the new enterprise, Dave Dobbin joined the business as Chief Executive Officer in late August. As CEO, Dobbin is tasked with overseeing the successful integration of Everywhere Wireless and SilverIP into one new and exciting company, continuing along a rapid growth trajectory in Chicago and Milwaukee and identifying new markets for expansion.

Dobbin has a 25-year track record in the C-Suite of successful telecommunications and Internet companies. Most recently, Dave served as Chief Technical Officer of Hargray Communications, which was sold to Cable One in 2021 for $2.2BN. Prior to Hargray, Dave was CEO of Mobilicity, a Canadian wireless carrier, and President of Toronto Hydro Telecom, a specialized data communication provider.

"This is an amazing opportunity to lead a quickly growing, exciting company on the forefront of customer-focused internet service delivery," said Dobbin. "I look forward to collaborating with M/C Partners and the rest of the investment team at this critical juncture as we continue to expand the business organically and through acquisitions."

The newly combined business will look to bolster its significant market presence in Chicago and Milwaukee, while expanding its best-in-class internet service for apartments, condos, and commercial customers into other Midwest markets.

SilverIP's founders along with its largest outside investor, Author Capital Partners, will remain shareholders in the combined business and active participants in the management of the combined company. "We are excited to welcome Dave to the team as we embark on this new chapter." said Farzad Moeinzadeh, Founder, SilverIP. "We believe these two great companies together share one bright future."

About M/C Partners
M/C Partners is a private equity firm focused on small and mid-size businesses in the digital infrastructure and technology services sectors. For more than three decades M/C Partners has invested $2.4 billion of capital in over 140 companies, leveraging its deep industry expertise to understand long-term secular trends and identify growth opportunities. The firm is currently investing its eighth fund, partnering with promising companies and leadership teams to support, scale, and improve operations and maximize value. For more information, visit https://mcpartners.com.