Vero Broadband, LLC, said yesterday it would acquire BendTel, Inc. — a locally owned and operated telecom provider serving central Oregon — for an undisclosed price, in a transaction expected to close by the end of the year.
Vero Broadband said the BendTel acquisition was made to complement the company’s existing services in the central part of the state. BendTel owns and operates a fiber network that serves residential and commercial clients across the region.
“We’ve been actively building our footprint in Bend, and this acquisition accelerates that momentum,” said Sunita Krishna, CEO of Vero Broadband, in a prepared statement about the BendTel acquisition.
“BendTel has a strong legacy in Bend and a deep understanding of the local business landscape. We’re excited to bring our resources and experience to scale that foundation while maintaining the local service customers have come to trust.”
The acquisition of BendTel continues a growth trend for Vero Broadband, which announced plans to acquire Montana Digital LLC earlier this year. Montana Digital operates in Bigfork, Columbia Falls, Kalispell, and Whitefish, Montana.
“We are thrilled to welcome Montana Digital to the Vero family,” Krishna said in a press release issued at the time. “Montana Digital has built an impressive fiber broadband business, and we are excited to build upon its success. This acquisition aligns with our strategy of partnering with regional providers to scale operations while maintaining a strong local presence.”
At the time, Montana joined California, Colorado, and Texas as states in which Vero Fiber was active. All the Texas and California systems and some of those in Colorado are noted as being under construction. It is unclear if any or all of them currently serve subscribers. Vero Fiber is also active in Oregon and will be even more so with the acquisition of BendTel.
