M&A

The merger will create a combined fiber platform that spans 17 states and reaches roughly 700,000 residential and commercial locations.

By Brad Randall, Broadband Communities

Independent fiber providers Clearwave and Visionary Broadband have signed a definitive agreement to merge, forging a combined fiber platform that spans 17 states and reaches roughly 700,000 residential and commercial locations.

Clearwave—which operates under both the Clearwave Fiber and Point Broadband brands across the Southeast and Midwest—will lead the combined entity under CEO David Armistead, the companies announced Sept. 8.

Meanwhile, Visionary Broadband CEO Brian Worthen will shift his focus to driving growth initiatives and regional expansion across the West.

Founded in 1994, Visionary Broadband brings a decades-long presence in challenging rural terrain across Wyoming, Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, and Washington. Clearwave similarly leadership pointed to shared operational values and enhanced scale as key drivers behind the combination in their announcement.

“Scale only matters if it makes us better for the people we serve,” Armistead said in a statement. “Visionary shares that conviction — build well, serve well, don’t cut corners. Together, we can do more of that, in more places.”

The transaction is backed by private equity firms GTCR and Berkshire Partners, both existing investors in the platforms. Financial terms were not disclosed, and the deal remains subject to customary regulatory approvals.

Some AI tools also assisted in the crafting of this report.

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