Rise operates FWA services in 16 states and will focus on expanding fiber services under new ownership
ISP Rise Broadband, which operates across 16 U.S. states, has been acquired by private equity group GI Partners and plans to expand its FWA and fiber-based services under the new ownership.
Rise, which serves primarily rural communities, says it is the largest privately-held fixed wireless ISP in the U.S. The company has consistently been named to CNET’s list of best rural broadband providers in recent years; it reportedly covers around 6% of the U.S. population. Rise serves portions of most of the Midwestern, Central and Western U.S., with its most extensive footprints in Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Illinois, Nevada, Nebraska, Texas and Utah.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. GI Partners says it is “committing meaningful new capital to improve customer experience and accelerate Rise Broadband’s rollout of fiber-to-the-home services for rural American homes and businesses.”
“We are eager to partner with the GI Partners team as we embark on a new phase of growth, driven by significant investment in our hybrid fiber-to-the-home and fixed wireless network,” said RIse CEO Jim O’Brien.
“Rise Broadband provides essential broadband connectivity with a focus on customers in rural America. We are excited to partner with Jim O’Brien and the Rise team to execute a multi-year, fiber-based network expansion effort,” said Brendan Scollans, managing director and co-head of GI Data Infrastructure. “Rise’s existing network infrastructure is uniquely positioned to execute a fiber expansion effort that will provide rural communities with next generation broadband service.”
