Randy Whitehead & Company, LLC

03/17/2026

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03/14/2026

𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐫-𝐭𝐨-𝐭𝐡𝐞-𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐝𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐨𝐮𝐭: 𝐎𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤

By: Randy Whitehead.

CHEYENNE, Wyoming, March 12, 2026 – As the U.S. telecommunications industry recently closed out 2025 and entered 2026, the ongoing broadband infrastructure building boom occurring throughout the United States continues unabated and is still accelerating, particularly the last‑mile work being undertaken to bring high‑speed fiber‑optic communications cables to homes (Fiber to the Home or "FTTH"), as well as to businesses, government agencies, anchor institutions, and other organizations (typically Fiber to the Premises or ("FTTP"). (While this article primarily relates to FTTH, I've used the FTTx acronym to refer to whatever the specific context dictates.)



Assuming you work in the telecom industry like I do, you’ve likely read plenty of articles about BEAD and other public funding programs, but as for private equity and private credit funding, not so much. We’ve all signed a lot of NDAs over the years, perhaps that is part of the reason there isn’t a plethora of private funding articles, but as one who works with both public and private infrastructure funding, I thought I should add to this smaller pool of articles about private funding.

𝐁𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲, 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝟏𝟖𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝟏𝟗𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐬, 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐝, “𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐯𝐬. 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐬: 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝐅𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭.


While many people outside our industry have heard of the federal BEAD funding program, an acronym for Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment, a $42.45 billion federal program created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed into law in November 2021 and primarily focused on rural, unserved, and underserved areas, most people outside our industry are not aware that private investors are responsible for a significant share of the last‑mile work through private investment funding of local and regional Internet access service providers. While publicly traded companies like AT&T, Verizon, and T‑Mobile are investing billions in both wireline and wireless infrastructure, so too are private companies through private equity and private credit investment vehicles to profit wisely from funding ISPs, dark fiber developers/operators, among others.

Unlike the federal government programs such as BEAD where the government never sees a return on investment, at least not in the traditional sense, private investors are continuing to fund not only new greenfield construction but are also creating opportunities for people to earn reasonable to exceptional returns on their investment.

Moreover, investment in infrastructure is ideal for funding long-term future goals such as retirement planning, savings for college, and other long-term endeavors. This is why so many endowments, insurance companies, and other large-scale institutions are investing in infrastructure. Now smaller retail investors can also reap the benefits of infrastructure investing too.

The expansion of high-speed broadband Internet access through FTTx infrastructure has emerged as a critical priority in bridging the digital divide, particularly in underserved and rural areas. Over the past decade, private equity and private credit investment firms, family offices, and high net worth individuals have increasingly recognized the potential of FTTx as a stable, long-term investment opportunity. By funding the creation of new local Internet service providers (ISPs) and installing experienced management teams as non-traditional company founders, these investors are driving the rapid deployment of last-mile fiber networks. However, the buildout faces significant challenges, including a shortage of skilled utility construction contractors and delays due to municipal permitting and other regulatory hurdles.

Let’s take a deeper dive and examine the role of private investment in FTTx, the expected timeline for buildout, industry consolidation, and the operational and regulatory obstacles impacting progress.

𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐅𝐓𝐓𝐱: 𝐀 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐎𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲

Fiber-optic networks, once considered a high-risk asset class, have become highly attractive to private investors due to their ability to deliver stable, long-term cash flows. In 2024, fiber optic deals represented 11.3% of closed M&A infrastructure deal volume according to Deloitte's 2025 telecommunications outlook. Private equity firms, private credit funds, high net worth individuals, and family offices are capitalizing on this opportunity by funding investment vehicles that form and invest capital in new local and regional ISPs, most often in markets where incumbent providers have failed to deliver adequate broadband services.

𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐈𝐒𝐏𝐬, 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐍𝐨𝐧-𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬

Due to the vast sums required to build networks, traditional bootstrap entrepreneurs are few and far between in telecom but they do exist. Unlike traditional entrepreneurial ventures, whether bootstrapped or externally funded partly by friends and family among others, many of these new ISPs are established with the backing of institutional and boutique firms’ investment capital, who handpick experienced management teams to serve as non-traditional founders or co-founders, that is, such founders and co-founders are not necessarily the persons that originally conceived the idea to start an ISP as traditional entrepreneurs do, but are instead charged with standing up a new company and managing it on behalf of the owner-investors.

These arrangements usually require these founders to also put some skin in the game to ensure interests are aligned. These management teams typically include professionals with expertise in telecommunications, network construction, network operations, regulatory compliance, sales and marketing, and customer services, ensuring that the ISPs can navigate the complex landscape of broadband deployment.

This model allows investors to mitigate risks associated with greenfield deployments, where there are few to no existing fiber players to acquire, as well as risks associated with untested entrepreneurs. In acceleration markets, that is regions with significant opportunities for fiber deployment or increased consumer uptake, private equity firms are particularly active, focusing on improving the performance of underperforming fiber companies or consolidating smaller players to achieve economies of scale. The involvement of family offices, which often prioritize long-term, stable returns, further underscores the appeal of FTTx as a resilient infrastructure investment asset.

In recent years firms like SiFi Networks have secured equity commitments in excess of $1 billion to expand their FiberCity initiative, targeting 30 U.S. cities, while Tillman Fiber Company has secured $1.015 billion to deploy FTTx networks. These investments are usually structured to leverage the operational experience of management teams, combining it with the financial discipline and capital deployment strategies of experienced private investors and investment managers.


𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜-𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧-𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐬

In addition to creating new ISPs, private investors are increasingly participating in public-private partnerships (PPPs) and open-access network models. Open-access networks, which allow multiple ISPs to use the same infrastructure, foster competition and reduce costs for consumers. For instance, Ziply Fiber partnered with public utility districts in Washington State to build open-access networks, leasing infrastructure to Last Mile ISPs. Similarly, Huntsville Utilities in Alabama owns fiber infrastructure that Google Fiber, the anchor tenant leases, as do other companies. These models attract private capital by offering a diversified revenue stream not correlated with public equities markets, and reduce the financial burden of deployment, while also aligning with public sector goals to expand broadband access. To provide balance, public funding programs like ACP, RDOF, BEAD have successfully connected over 10 million locations, demonstrating significant impact in closing the digital divide in rural areas.


𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐅𝐓𝐓𝐱 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐨𝐮𝐭

Despite the influx of private capital, as well as federal funds, the FTTx buildout faces significant operational and regulatory challenges, or bottlenecks, that threaten to delay progress and increase costs. Among these challenges area a significant shortage of experienced utility construction contractors, as well as municipal permitting and other regulatory delays.


𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐔𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬

One of the most pressing obstacles is the continued shortage of skilled utility construction contractors. The rapid pace of FTTx deployment has outstripped the availability of qualified labor, particularly in rural and remote areas where projects are often more complex due to geographic and topographic challenges. A January 31, 2026 report in the Wall Street Journal quotes a utility construction manager saying that crews can’t hire fast enough,” and “we just don’t have the people to do the work”, and further mentioned a shortage of drillers, foremen, splicers, and aerial linemen. A September 2025 survey by the Associated General Contractors of America and the National Center for Construction Education found that 92% of construction firms struggled to find workers, driving up costs and causing project delays. In October 2025, a Pew report indicated that 28,000 new broadband construction workers and 30,000 new technicians plus additional workers to replace those retiring or leaving the field, will be needed over the next decade In California, for example, the cost of installing fiber can range from $65,000 per mile in flat areas to $500,000 per mile in mountainous terrains, exacerbated by labor shortages and global supply chain disruptions. The Fiber Broadband Association’s 2024 Fiber Deployment Cost Annual Report (based on an RVA/Cartesian survey) reported median 2024 deployment costs of about $18.25 per foot for underground builds and $6.55 per foot for aerial builds, underscoring how labor, materials, and permitting can materially influence budgets and schedules. The FBA also reported in January 2026 that labor was the largest share of fiber deployment costs, about 72% of underground, and 64% of aerial builds.

The lack of experienced contractors not only delays project timelines but also impacts the quality of deployments. Inexperienced crews often struggle with the technical demands of fiber installation, leading to higher maintenance costs and reduced network reliability. To address this, some ISPs are investing in workforce development programs, while others are exploring automation and prefabricated solutions to reduce labor dependency. The market remains extremely tight in many regions and trades, and the shortage remains material enough to threaten schedules and raise costs.

𝐌𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐬

Local municipal governments play a critical role in the last mile FTTx buildout, as they oversee permitting, rights-of-way access, and certain other regulatory requirements. However, the permitting process is often slow and inconsistent, creating significant delays. In many cases, municipalities lack the staff or expertise to process permit applications efficiently, particularly in smaller or rural jurisdictions. Additionally, local regulations may impose stringent requirements, such as environmental impact assessments or aesthetic considerations, further complicating deployments.

For example, in California, advocacy groups have criticized state agencies for excluding marginalized communities from middle-mile broadband plans, highlighting the need for equitable permitting processes. The California Alliance for Digital Equity noted that proposed budget cuts to broadband initiatives could exacerbate delays in underserved areas, pushing these communities “to the back of the line.” A February 2026 industry report cited permitting as the primary obstacle, and the biggest barrier to expanding broadband access, slowing fiber deployments specifically identifying railroad crossings, pole attachments, and inconsistent municipal approval processes.


𝐁𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐤𝐬, 𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐜 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐬 “𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝟒 𝐁𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐒𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬” 𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐧 𝐅𝐁𝐀 𝐰𝐞𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐝, “𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐑𝐚𝐜𝐞: 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧 & 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐓𝐓𝐇 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬” 𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝟏𝟗, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐚𝐭 𝟏𝟐:𝟎𝟎 𝐏𝐌 𝐄𝐃𝐓.



𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐨𝐮𝐭, 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬

The FTTx buildout is expected to continue at a rapid pace over the next decade, driven by significant federal and private investment. The U.S. government has pledged $97 billion through initiatives like the BEAD and RDOF programs, including non-federal matches of 25% for BEAD project costs (with some exceptions and waivers), prioritizing fiber‑optic deployments. However, the timeline for achieving universal fiber coverage remains uncertain. By year‑end 2025, the Fiber Broadband Association’s annual Fiber Deployment Survey (performed by RVA) reported a record 11.8 million new U.S. fiber passings during 2025 and approximately 98.3 million total FTTx passings (including locations with more than one passing), and separately reported that more than 60% of U.S. households now have access to fiber.



𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬

As many initial private investors approach their first liquidation events to fully realize returns on their investment, typically within 5–10 years of the initial investment, the FTTx industry is expected to undergo significant consolidation, and that process actually already well underway. Industry insiders describe the BEAD-subsidized buildout as a long-term investment opportunity with the acceleration of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) anticipated throughout the coming years as smaller ISPs are absorbed by larger players or consolidated to achieve economies of scale. In mature markets like the United Kingdom and Brazil, where numerous small fiber companies operate, consolidation also well underway, with larger firms acquiring smaller players to build national or regional scale, while in the United States this process is still in its infancy. A 2025 report by AlixPartners notes that there are approximately 1,900 small fiber companies in the United States, with about 400 being likely candidates for M&A. This mirrors the consolidation trend in the United Kingdom, and in Brazil with over 5,000 fiber players with 93% having fewer than 5,000 subscribers. In the U.S., the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Department of Justice (DOJ) and states’ public utilities commissions oversee telecom mergers, often prioritizing competition but increasingly open to consolidation for network resilience. While the FCC reviews mergers under the public interest standard, the FTC and DOJ focus on the antitrust and competition aspects of mergers. Transaction outcomes remain fact‑specific, but recent large approvals and closings suggest a comparatively transaction‑friendly posture in parts of the sector, even as approvals can carry conditions and continued scrutiny.

As of early 2026, this consolidation thesis is no longer hypothetical: Verizon’s acquisition of Frontier closed on January 20, 2026; AT&T’s acquisition of substantially all of Lumen’s Mass Markets consumer fiber business closed on February 2, 2026; and the Uniti–Windstream merger closed on August 1, 2025. In another significant consolidation move, Charter Communications announced on May 16, 2025, its $34.5 billion acquisition of Cox Communications, which received FCC approval on February 27, 2026, and is anticipated to close in mid-2026 pending remaining regulatory clearances. The merged entity, set to operate under the Cox Communications name within a year of closing, will become the largest U.S. residential internet service provider, combining operations to serve approximately 38 million subscribers while realizing projected cost savings of $500 million within three years, according to media releases

The first major wave of liquidation events has begun and is anticipated to run from 2026 through 2030, as private equity funds, which typically have 7–10-year investment horizons, seek to exit their positions. This will lead to a surge in M&A activity, with larger ISPs, incumbent providers, or even tech giants acquiring successful local ISPs. For example, Consolidated Communications, a fiber-focused ISP was acquired by Searchlight and BCI in a deal that closed on December 27, 2024. By 2035, the industry is expected to stabilize, with a smaller number of dominant players controlling the majority of FTTx networks, potentially mirroring the consolidation seen in other infrastructure sectors. However, this consolidation may reduce competition, leading to higher prices or slower innovation in some markets, as noted in antitrust reviews under 15 U.S.C. § 45.

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐞

Investors that would like to participate in the fiber boom profits will generally fall into two separate categories. Investing in privately held companies most usually requires an investor to be classified as an Accredited Investor in accordance with SEC regulations. Please be aware that as of the date of this article, Congress is considering substantial revisions to the Accredited Investors regulations thus the requirements found in the aforementioned links may soon change.

If an investor does not qualify to be an accredited investor, an investor can still participate and profit from the fiber boom by investing in the public equity markets. Following is a list of the top stocks that non-accredited retail investors, as well as Accredited Investors, can invest in. Keep in mind however that publicly traded companies are typically more mature than smaller private companies thus one should not expect the same level of capital gains from publicly traded companies as one can expect from privately held companies. Of course, I would be remiss if I didn't point out that privately held companies are far more risky, hence one of the reasons for the differences in capital gains between private and publicly traded companies.



𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐫

The following list consists of privately held telecommunications companies, Internet service providers, overbuilders, and infrastructure or dark‑fiber companies with large U.S. fiber footprints (as of year‑end 2025 / early 2026, noting that certain operators’ ownership or go‑to‑market models changed via mergers, joint ventures, or take‑private deals). Non‑accredited investors can still invest in a few of these entities indirectly, for instance, one can invest in Google Fiber by acquiring stock in Google’s parent, Alphabet, Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOGL / GOOG). This list is subject to rapid change.

--Zayo Group Holdings, Inc. – (EQT Partners, DigitalBridge (SoftBank to take‑private DigitalBridge announced Dec. 29, 2025; expected close 2H 2026)).
--Windstream Holdings, Inc. – (Now combined with Uniti; merger closed Aug. 1, 2025; legacy sponsors included Elliott Management, PIMCO, and Brigade Capital Management).
--Brightspeed – (Apollo Global Management’s Apollo Investment Fund IX).
--Astound Broadband – (Stonepeak Infrastructure Fund III and Fund IV).
--Midco f/k/a Midcontinent Communications – (Midcontinent Media, Comcast).
--Google Fiber – (Alphabet, Inc.) – Although Google Fiber is one of the top private companies with the most deployed fiber, it is wholly owned by Alphabet thus the only way to invest in this company indirectly is by acquiring Class A voting shares of Alphabet stock (NASDAQ: GOOGL), or Class C non-voting shares (NASDAQ: GOOG). Note: On March 11, 2026. GFiber, formerly known as Google Fiber, and Stonepeak’s Astound Broadband, announced that they will combine with Stonepeak the majority owner and Alphabet will remain a significant minority shareholder.
--UTOPIA Fiber – (Publicly funded by member municipalities and undisclosed investors).
--Bluebird Network – (Macquarie Infrastructure Partners).
123NET – (Grain Management).
--GoNetspeed – (Oak Hill Capital).
--Whidbey Telecom – (Local, family-owned and undisclosed investors).
--NOVOS FiBER – (Undisclosed private investors).
--GigabitNow – (Parent company IsoFusion and undisclosed investors).
--Allo Communications – (SDC Capital Partners).
--Metronet – (KKR and T‑Mobile joint venture; transaction closed July 24, 2025; T‑Mobile Fiber is retail partner).
--Ting Internet – (Generate Capital, Tucows Inc.).
--Lumos – (T‑Mobile and EQT joint venture; transaction closed April 1, 2025).
--Everstream – (Sold to Bluebird Fiber in a Section 363 sale (Chapter 11 bankruptcy) on March 6, 2026).
--FiberLight – (Consortium led by Morrison).
--Unite Private Networks – (Cox Communications acquired in 2023, UPN later merged with Segra).

𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐥𝐲 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐫

The following list consists of publicly traded telecommunications companies, broadband providers, and related infrastructure companies with large U.S. fiber footprints (as of year‑end 2025 / early 2026, noting that certain issuers changed trading status via mergers or take‑privates). This list is subject to rapid change.

--AT&T - (NYSE: T).
--Verizon Communications - (NYSE: VZ).
--Lumen Technologies - (NYSE: LUMN).
--Comcast Corporation - (NYSE: CMCSA).
--Charter Communications - (NYSE: CHTR) – On February 27, 2026, the FCC approved the merger between Charter Communications and Cox Communications. The deal is expected to close in mid-2026. The combined entity will be renamed Cox Communications within one year post-closing, and will become the largest residential ISP serving approximately 38 million subscribers.
--T‑Mobile US, Inc. - (NASDAQ: TMUS).
--Cable One, Inc. - (NYSE: CABO).
--Crown Castle - (NYSE: CCI).
--Cogent Communications Holdings - (NASDAQ: CCOI).
--Uniti Group - (NASDAQ: UNIT).
--American Tower Corporation - (NYSE: AMT).
--Liberty Broadband Corporation - (NYSE: LBRDK).
--Altice USA, Inc. - (NYSE: ATUS).
--Anterix, Inc. - (NASDAQ: ATEX).

Note: Frontier Communications (FYBR) would have been on this list but it ceased trading following Verizon’s acquisition closing on January 20, 2026.

𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤

The FTTx buildout represents a transformative opportunity to close the digital divide and deliver high-speed broadband to millions of households, businesses, and others. Private equity, private credit, high net worth individuals and family offices are playing a pivotal role in this expansion, leveraging their capital and expertise to create new ISPs and drive innovation in the sector. However, the challenges of labor shortages, permitting delays, and regulatory complexity underscore the need for coordinated efforts between investors, ISPs, and policymakers.

Recent private‑equity‑backed expansion examples underscore continued momentum: Ezee Fiber announced an acquisition of DayNet’s fiber assets in Dayton, Texas on February 10, 2026, and separately announced network expansion into Oregon (Salem area) on February 13, 2026.

To ensure the long-term success of the FTTx buildout, stakeholders must address these challenges through strategic investments in workforce development, streamlined permitting processes, and equitable funding allocation. Federal programs like BEAD and the Capital Projects Fund provide a strong foundation, but their effectiveness will depend on the ability of states and local governments to execute projects efficiently and prioritize underserved communities. As of March 2, NTIA reported that 53 of 56 BEAD Final Proposals were approved, with all 50 states and 6 territories having submitted Final Proposals for review.

As the FTTx space approaches its first major liquidation events and begins to consolidate, the focus will shift toward operational efficiency, customer retention, and sustainable growth. By fostering competition through open-access models and public-private partnerships, the FTTx sector can deliver affordable, reliable broadband access while generating attractive returns for investors. The choices made in the coming years will shape the future of connectivity, determining who is connected, who is left behind, and the kind of digital economy that emerges.

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© 2026 Randy Whitehead, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫

Randy Whitehead is a 30+ year veteran of the telecommunications and real estate development industries. He and his eponymous management consulting firm, Randy Whitehead & Company, L.L.C., help develop and build new telecommunications companies, their networks, and their data centers. He frequently serves on clients’ staff on an external secondment basis to help expedite legal, regulatory and real property matters enabling the standing up of new companies more quickly than their competitors. He was a member of the founding leadership team of FastBridge Fiber where he currently serves as Vice President of Regulatory Affairs & Underlying Rights on a secondment basis. He previously worked as a senior director in the law department at Zayo Group where his colleagues and he acquired and merged more than 45 companies from inception through its take-private deal in 2019. He also serves as Chairman of the Board, and Chief Investment Officer of the Infrastructure Realty Trust, a boutique private equity investment and bitcoin treasury firm primarily focused on telecommunications infrastructure real estate. His management consulting firm can be reached at (307) 201-4955.

𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬

For brevity purposes, sources and references are available upon request.

This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation to buy, or a recommendation to purchase or sell any securities or other financial instruments. The information contained herein is not intended to be, and shall not be construed as, investment, financial, tax, or legal advice. The information presented in this article is based on sources believed to be reliable, but no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made as to its accuracy, completeness, or timeliness. The article may contain forward-looking statements, which are subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Past performance of any securities or companies mentioned is not indicative of future results. Readers should conduct their own due diligence and consult with a qualified financial advisor, attorney, accountant, or other professional before making any investment or financial decisions. The publisher, authors, and any affiliated entities are not responsible for any losses or damages arising from the use of the information contained in this article. This disclaimer is governed by applicable federal and state securities laws, including but not limited to the Securities Act of 1933 ,15 U.S.C. § 77a et seq., and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 15 U.S.C. § 78a et seq.

Any opinions presented in this article are strictly those of the author and do not, and are not intended to, represent, and should not be attributed to, any employer or client of the author, the author's eponymous consulting firm. No facts presented in this article are reflective of any client firms' plans but rather are researched independently from work performed on behalf of clients.

02/04/2026

Look Who is Turning 30 in 2026. Happy Anniversary OneNet.

Oklahoma's OneNet was one of the first network initiatives in the entire USA to link the state's schools, higher education, research, healthcare and other public services together in a unified highspeed optical network just when the commercial Internet was in its infancy.

OneNet is the digital communications initiative of Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and Oklahoma’s only statewide internet service provider.

02/02/2026

New York’s S6997A “Pole Attachment Safety & Quality” Law Is Now In Effect -- What Telecom and Broadband Attachers Should Do Next

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/new-yorks-s6997a-pole-attachment-safety-quality-law-now-whitehead-gdbpc/

06/05/2025

Why Fiber Optic Network Construction is a Hot Mess Right Now

Nashville, Tennessee – June 3, 2025. In this brief article below we hear from Greg Wilson, CEO of Ripple Fiber. Ripple Fiber is one of Randy Whitehead & Company’s clients who has been negotiating pole attachment and conduit occupancy agreements with electric and telecommunications utility companies on behalf of Ripple Fiber over the past couple of years. The article below originates from Fiber Connect 2025, ongoing this week, June 1st – 4th, in Nashville, Tennessee, as fiber optic telecom panelists address delays in deploying fiber optic communications cable facilities throughout the country, in what is currently the greatest fiber construction boom in history, a boom that began shortly after America got back to business after the long Covid hiatus, and has continued unabated ever since, straining the limits of everyone involved in bringing new communications technology and facilities online, a boom that is far surpassing the boom of the late 1990’s. For the past 30+ years, Randy Whitehead and his eponymous firm have been providing fee-based real estate development services to telecommunications companies, to help develop and construct their networks, with a primary focus on real property underlying rights, regulatory affairs, construction law, and capital management, and similarly related areas. Randy Whitehead, and his eponymous firm are experts in cutting through red tape and help bring its clients into new markets ahead of their competition.

The article, courtesy of Fierce Networks…

FIBER CONNECT, NASHVILLE, June 2, 2025 – As fiber deployments surge, so do the various challenges associated with building. Speakers on a Fiber Connect panel voiced their main deployment gripes, from permitting and poles to disrupting community infrastructure.

“Anyone who thinks a fiber business is a technology business is sorely mistaken,” said Greg Wilson, founder and CEO of Ripple Fiber. It’s more of a construction business, where any large project faces challenges with labor, permitting, regulation snags and the like.

Construction is a hot mess, according to Mitchell J. Campagna, president and CEO of architecture firm Mitchell J. Architecture. “You’re basically going into an entire city and you’re going to mess up their entire roads, every road, every street," said Campagna. Even if a provider has permits ready to go for laying fiber, it doesn’t mean much if the infrastructure isn’t left in tip-top shape. “All it takes is one truck that came in, messed up, put asphalt everywhere” and the company will have to clean up the mess before moving onto the next project, Campagna said.

When deployment delays hit, it’s key to have an “agile team that’s able to very quickly identify what the root of the issue is, and then also have the authority” to solve those problems, Wilson said. “If you try and bring everything back up to the top for a decision, you’re never going to solve problems quickly,” he added.

The Pain of Poles and Permitting

For many fiber operators, securing pole attachments can be difficult, stacking up permitting requirements, panelists noted.

Operators are sick and tired of being plagued with permits Campagna said one of his clients is doing a hybrid fiber build that involves both aerial deployments and micro-trenching. “The only reason for that is that there are no poles in a certain section of this area that we’re doing.”

That fiber provider had to apply for two separate permits, a trend that’s becoming “more and more prevalent,” he said.

“Permitting is just such a wild card,” said Ethan Elyasian, VP of Operations for LDA Fiber, a consulting civil engineering firm. That’s why it’s important for operators to “get in early” and understand all the players they have to talk to in order to get projects going. “That’s the difference between a three-week delay and a green light right off the bat,” he said.

AI and automation can also lend a hand with permitting and pole pains, said Adam Kersnowski, co-founder and SVP at Airworks. He explained his company uses machine learning and automated field mapping to better understand “what’s existing and how we design and build around it.” That data can help operators better pinpoint the cost differences between aerial and buried fiber, and how those differences will impact project timelines and the cost of construction. “Looking at a pole without investing a lot of money and understanding what’s on that pole is very valuable to our clients,” Kersnowski added.

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Randy Whitehead, and his eponymous firm are experts in cutting through red tape and help bring its clients into new markets ahead of their competition.

Randy Whitehead & Company, L.L.C. - We Help Build Telecommunications Companies, and Their Networks and Datacenters. For more information visit randywhitehad.com.