EarthLink’s latest acquisition is Nextera Communications, a fixed wireless access (FWA)-based voice and data provider based in Minnesota.
It is EarthLink’s fifth acquisition during the past year. The press release offered no details on the deal other than to say that it is effective immediately.
“This acquisition not only signifies growth for EarthLink Business but also reinforces our commitment to delivering superior internet services,” said EarthLink President Mike Toplesik.
“By welcoming Nextera Communications into the EarthLink family, we are not just expanding our geographical footprint; we are enhancing our ability to meet the unique needs of small to medium-sized businesses with even greater efficiency and personalized care.”
Given its many acquisitions of late, EarthLink clearly feels that FWA is the technology of the future. Its interest in the approach can be traced at least as far back as December 2021, which the company announced EarthLink Wireless Home Internet, which was supported by both LTE and 5G networks.
In July, 2023, EarthLink said that it was acquiring One Ring Networks Inc., which at that point claimed to be one of the biggest FWA providers in the country.
One Ring provided FWA and wireless services to consumers and businesses in Arizona, California, Georgia, Maryland, and Texas.
The strategy continued into the new year. In February, the company acquired QX.net, a FWA provider serving business customers in Kentucky. At the time, Earthlink said that QX.net had built the state’s largest wireless internet network. It offered voice, data center, and SD-WAN services in addition to wireless Internet.
Two months later, EarthLink acquired BroadAspect, a FWA company headquartered in Virginia. The agreement called for EarthLink to take over BroadAspect’s fiber and FWA business, while BroadAspect will continue as a managed IT and cybersecurity company.
