Hudson Fiber Network deal adds metro optical networks to ExteNet holdings
ExteNet Systems co-founder and 16-year CEO Ross Manire announced his retirement on Sept. 4; he is succeeded by Jim Hyde who most recently served as president of Sprint’s Prepaid Group, Wholesale, Affiliates and Strategic Partnerships.
ExteNet Executive Chairman Marc Ganzi said in a statement: “ExteNet Systems has played an integral role in pioneering, designing and building the next generation of wireless networks. We thank Ross for the terrific job he has done in bringing the business to this point, and we wish him the best in his retirement and future endeavors. The Board and I are very excited to have Jim at the helm as we look to extend ExteNet Systems’ market leadership and bring new, innovative indoor and outdoor broadband solutions to the market. We are confident Jim is the right person to guide the company forward given his vast experience in owning and operating wireless networks.”
With Sprint, Hyde oversaw the MVNO and prepaid segments. He previously served as CEO and managing director of T-Mobile U.K and formerly held leadership positions at Fastback Networks, Lumos Networks, NTELOS Holdings and GPS Industries.
On the M&A front, ExteNet didn’t disclose details of the deal to takeover Hudson Fiber Network, which has fiber holdings in California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and internationally in Japan, Korea, the U.K. Hong Kong and Singapore.
Hudson Fiber Network CEO Brett Diamond will take charge of ExteNet’s Optical Network Solutions business and report to the CEO. Manire oversaw the transaction, which he said gives ExteNet more presence in “key markets…to address the advanced communications needs of enterprises.”
Diamond said the combination “ensures a comprehensive set of outdoor, in-building and enterprise connectivity solutions for service providers, property owners and enterprise clients.”
