Hargray, a regional communications provider in the Southeastern U.S., is continuing its expansion, with an agreement to purchase Dark Fiber Systems (“DFS”), a dark fiber provider in Jacksonville, Fla. The Hargray Dark Fiber Systems transaction is expected to close by the end of the second quarter of 2019. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Just last week, we reported Hargray had acquired three colocation facilities in the Southeast. The Hargray colocation acquisition was aimed at enabling the company to offer advanced data security and computer hardware storage to businesses across two southern states and parts of another: Georgia, South Carolina and northern Florida.
Earlier in the month, we reported that Hagray had agreed to acquire the Alabama assets of USA Communications, which include areas in and around Pell City, Ala.
Hargray Dark Fiber Systems Deal
“We are pleased to announce our agreement to acquire Dark Fiber Systems and the resulting expansion of our presence in northern Florida,” said Hargray chairman and CEO, Michael Gottdenker, in a prepared statement about the most recent acquisition. “Our focus has been and remains to provide robust last-mile connectivity to businesses and residences throughout the Southeastern United States. We are eager to expand DFS’ unique network and bring Hargray’s full suite of communications solutions and our unmatched, superior customer service to businesses in Jacksonville.”
In a prepared statement Chris McCorkendale, senior vice president of Hargray Fiber, added: “Hargray is deeply committed to providing advanced broadband access throughout the Southeast. We are dedicated to local service, community engagement, and have witnessed firsthand the demand for reliable communications solutions and responsive customer service. Specifically in Jacksonville, not only will we expand the footprint of DFS’ 150 route-mile network, but also we will provide multi-gig lit data services including dedicated Internet, customized multi-location Ethernet solutions, colocation & managed services, and enhanced voice and video solutions.”
Also in a prepared statement, DFS founder and CEO Charles Nichols said: “We are proud of the solutions Dark Fiber Systems has provided to Jacksonville businesses and wireless carriers since 1997. It was our mission to provide commercial entities the very best access to virtually unlimited bandwidth with unmatched security. We are confident that Hargray will advance that mission and bring the additional scale and capabilities necessary to expand what we started 25 years ago.”
