Assuming the deal closes, Hilliary Communications’ acquisition of TDS Telecom’s network in Oklahoma would add almost 35,000 addresses to its footprint, many of which are in rural locations.
Few details about the agreement, which is expected to close during the second half of the year, were released. Hilliary Communications said it will retain local TDS field service associates.
“Hilliary Communications is dedicated to building a stronger, more connected future for rural communities across Oklahoma,” Dustin Hilliary, co-CEO of Hilliary Communications said in a press release. “This acquisition positions us to bring fiber internet and modern communications services to more areas of Oklahoma.”
The press release says that upgrade planning will immediately begin. They include fiber-to-the-home networks, modernization of infrastructure, and “future-ready” broadband and communications services.
This is Hilliary Communications’ eighth acquisition of independent or regional assets since 2016. The company serves 22 counties in Oklahoma, Texas, and Iowa and is headquartered in Medicine Park, Oklahoma. It is in the midst of investing more than $250 million in the three states.
“This divestiture will allow us to focus more heavily on our core fiber operations,” TDS Telecom President and CEO Ken Dixon said in the press release about the Hilliary acquisition of TDS assets. “We are confident our customers and associates will continue to have a positive experience with their new company.”
TDS has been active in Oklahoma for several years. In January, 2013, for instance, the company said construction has started on a project set to serve about 200 customers in the Wyandotte area. The project was backed by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
In May, Hilliary Communications was among many service providers who received middle-mile expansion grants from the Oklahoma Broadband Governing Board. The company was granted $40,874,734.10 for projects in Alex, Burns Flat, Cordell, Daisy, Duke North, Duke South, Gracemont, Granite, and Talihina. The company also was granted $3,733,731.68 for Stonewall if funding became available in the future
