Airband, Sparkplug Merge

Airband Communications and Sparkplug Communications have merged to create the largest fixed-wireless company for businesses in the U.S. The pair will team to provide a full suite of voice and data services in 17 markets.

The companies say customers will continue to benefit from the flexible and highly scalable voice and data services delivered over their wholly owned, fixed-wireless last-mile network, which bypasses the wireline local loop, creating cost savings for business customers.

Airband delivers data services from 1 Mbps to over GigE speeds and a full suite of VoIP services, including hosted VoIP and VoIP/SIP trunking. The combined company will keep the Airband name and be headquartered in Dallas.

Sparkplug CEO Michael Ruley is the new Airband CEO, while Tim Kinnear, former Airband CEO, becomes CFO of the new company.

Our companies share the belief that its critical to increase market penetration in existing territories and leverage the economies of scale we will realize with our combined networks and services,” said Ruley. As a combined entity, we will have the financial backing, network and human resources required to grow, organically and strategically, and to further enhance our competitive position in our markets.”

The merged company will receive $20 million in financing as part of the transaction. Other financial terms were not disclosed.