Might Level 3 or Zayo Buy Lightower?

**Editor’s Note: Please click here for a recap of the biggest channel-impacting mergers in May-June 2016.**

Rumors have been swirling this week that Lightower Fiber Networks is seeking a buyer, with  Level 3 Communications and Zayo as potential suitors.

According to a report this week by CTFN, Lightower is exploring a sale. Citing two unnamed sources, it said infrastructure rivals Level 3 and Zayo are among possible buyers.

Lightower and Zayo couldn’t be reached for comment. Level 3 spokesperson Stephanie Walkenshaw said her company doesn’t “comment on rumors and speculation.”{ad}

Lightower is owned by private equity firms Berkshire Partners, Pamlico Capital and ABRY Partners.

Last month, Lightower announced it had acquired Datacenter101 to help meet demand for data center and networking services in the Columbus, Ohio, area. The deal was the latest in a series of acquisitions for the network services provider, the most noteworthy being its purchase of rival Fibertech Networks for $1.9 billion. (Channel Partners took you inside Lightower’s suburban Boston headquarters last fall for a video that highlighted its acquisition of Fibertech and the potential impact on the channel.)