Integra's opticAccess Buy Strengthens West Coast Fiber Footprint

PRESS RELEASE — VANCOUVER, Wash., Aug. 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Integra, a provider of fiber-based, enterprise-grade networking, communications and technology solutions has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire opticAccess, LLC. Founded in 2012, opticAccess provides high-capacity, fiber-based connectivity solutions for large enterprise and domestic and international carrier customers through its 3,500 route mile network, which stretches from Seattle to San Diego, with the majority of its metro fiber route miles in the Bay Area and Los Angeles metro areas. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2015 subject to applicable regulatory approvals.

The acquisition of opticAccess further strengthens Integra’s western metro fiber network footprint. Following the transaction, Integra will have dense, unique metro fiber routes in all major western markets, enhancing Integra’s ability to serve high-demand end-user markets including content and technology providers, financial services companies and international carriers (including the Asia-Pacific market), in high-demand geographies such as the Bay Area. Integra estimates that, following the acquisition, its addressable near-net demand (defined as telecom spend within 2,500 feet of its more than 4,000 route mile metro fiber network) will increase by approximately 40 percent, and it will have sizable additional opportunities within reach as it continues to expand and build its network.

Furthermore, the transaction will differentiate Integra’s regional long-haul fiber network solution. Integra enjoys unique, owned, low-latency long-haul routes that connect all of the major western operating markets, key data centers (more than 100 connected to Integra network in total) and cable landing stations. The opticAccess acquisition will specifically enhance Integra’s West Coast long-haul route with a diverse low-latency path for primary and protected routes from Seattle to Los Angeles.

Integra recently announced its fully differentiated and enhanced approach to local design, account management and customer support for its Electric Lightwave (large enterprise, government, education and carrier customers) and Integra Business (regional and middle-market enterprise customers) units. The opticAccess acquisition will extend Integra’s capabilities, breadth and reach to additional customers that Integra can serve with this differentiated customer service model.

“OpticAccess has become a trusted provider to many leading enterprises, as well as regional, national and international carriers with our unique routes along the West Coast and a high-touch customer service philosophy,” said Brady Adams, CEO of opticAccess. “Our network assets and business focus are well aligned with Integra, offering a solid fit to accelerate their growth throughout the region.”

“The acquisition of opticAccess reinforces Integra’s fiber-centric network investment and growth strategy, and reaffirms our standing as one of the largest regional fiber network operators in the United States,” said Robert E. Guth, CEO of Integra. “The combined assets of the two companies will significantly expand Integra’s …

… network reach and improve our ability to deliver the high-bandwidth, high-reliability network solutions that our sophisticated wholesale, government and enterprise customers demand.”

The Bank Street Group LLC served as exclusive financial advisor to opticAccess in connection with this transaction.

About Integra

Integra is one of the largest regional providers of networking, communications and technology solutions in the western United States. Through its two business units, Electric Lightwave and Integra Business, the company provides critical data networking, unified communications, cloud and security services to domestic and international customers, including enterprise, government and wholesale customers – all of whom rely on Integra’s world-class fiber network and superior customer service for their operations and business success. Integra’s vast, privately-owned network connects customers across 35 cities in 11 states with Ethernet access to more than 460,000 business locations. Integra is headquartered in Vancouver, Washington with offices in 10 states in the western region and 1,500 employees. For more information, visit www.integratelecom.com or connect with us on social media on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

About Electric Lightwave

Electric Lightwave, an Integra company, serves as a trusted network infrastructure partner to enterprises, government agencies and carriers in select markets throughout the western United States. Electric Lightwave combines dense metro and intercity fiber assets, enterprise-grade network solutions, including Ethernet, Wavelengths and IP, with a highly responsive and easy to do business with approach. Electric Lightwave offers a premium service experience to match its premium network infrastructure solutions.

This release contains forward-looking statements that reflect Integra’s current expectations and views of future events and developments. These forward-looking statements include statements relating to Integra’s expected western metro fiber network footprint, customer base and expected timing of closing of the proposed transaction. These forward-looking statements are only predictions based upon our current expectations and views of future events and developments and are subject to risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict.  Any forward-looking statements made in this release are qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements, and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by us will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, us or our business or operations.