Special to 1808Delaware
Horizon, a fiber-optic broadband company operating out of Columbus, Ohio, has announced that it has acquired Consolidated Cooperative‘s commercial fiber business to expand its Midwest footprint and better meet the needs of its growing customer base. The acquisition adds 450 miles of fiber into Horizon’s existing Columbus network and extends it north through Delaware, Marion and Richland counties. Consolidated will retain its residential fiber internet services.
Consolidated Cooperative serves more than 18,000 consumers in Central Ohio with electric, gas, and fiber internet services. Consolidated initiated its commercial fiber services in 2009. Its separate residential fiber internet business was launched in 2017.
“Horizon remains committed to expanding its network capabilities and geographic reach in order to continue meeting the evolving communications and connectivity needs of businesses and communities throughout the Midwest,” says James Capuano, Chief Executive Officer of Horizon. “Consolidated’s proven ability to deliver ultra-high-speed broadband internet and data services with high levels of performance, availability, flexibility and redundancy affirms that these infrastructure assets will deliver exactly the next-gen capabilities organizations are looking for. We’re excited to supplement our existing capabilities and make this mutually beneficial step toward a more connected future.”
“The enterprise fiber business has exceeded our goals and expectations for it, which were primarily to improve our electric operations, set us up to offer broadband internet service in the future, and help to pay for all that by selling capacity to third parties,” says Phil Caskey, Consolidated Cooperative President and CEO. “At this juncture, we determined that the best path forward for Consolidated, our members, and our communities is to focus on growing our electric, gas, and residential fiber internet services. Selling our commercial fiber business to Horizon will allow us to do that, and we know Horizon will continue to provide outstanding service to commercial organizations in our region.”
Consolidated’s current commercial fiber customers will not see any interruption in their service. Horizon will continue to serve customers according to their contracts.
The following information was put on Consolidated Cooperative’s website on Tuesday:
Is Consolidated continuing to offer fiber internet to residential members?
Yes, Consolidated is continuing its residential fiber construction. The sale does not affect residential services. The board of trustees will approve the 2022 work plan this fall.
How does the enterprise fiber business sale affect electric or gas members?
Electric, gas, and residential fiber services are unaffected by the sale.
How can local businesses get fiber network services now?
Horizon will add two-thirds of Consolidated’s fiber network to its existing Ohio network, allowing it to extend north through other parts of the state. Local businesses may be able to explore fiber service options with Horizon.
How can Consolidated continue to offer home internet if they’re selling their fiber network?
Consolidated is retaining one-third of our fiber network, which is plenty to continue growing our residential fiber internet offerings and improve our electric operations.
