Midwestern regional network fiber network and data center operator Everstream has acquired St. Louis-based dark fiber provider Arch Fiber Networks. The Everstream Arch Fiber Networks purchase marks Everstream’s first entry into St. Louis, and continues the company’s planned expansion announced earlier this year.
According to the companies, Arch Fiber Networks has the only purpose-built dark fiber network in St. Louis. The transaction includes a 75-mile conduit system with 55 route miles of fiber. The additional 20 miles of ducts are fiber-ready. The acquisition includes two duct crossings that run underneath the Mississippi River between St. Louis and neighboring East St. Louis, Ill.
Seventy-one buildings will have immediate access to Everstream’s high-speed, low-latency business fiber network. In total, 32 buildings are fiber-ready and 39 are considered on-net-ready with conduit fed to the site.
Earlier this year, Everstream said it would invest $300 million into its fiber network by building dense metro fiber networks in 12 markets, including St. Louis. As a result of the most recent acquisition, the company expects to create 35 new jobs in St. Louis by the end of 2020.
“This opportunity fits well with several of Everstream’s strategic initiatives for the region,” said Everstream president and CEO Brett Lindsey, in a prepared statement. “It has advanced our timeline for the St. Louis market, allowing us to have a sales and network presence sooner than expected, and gives Everstream access to unique fiber routes to accelerate our ability to deliver on existing fiber to the tower projects underway.”
