Ezee Fiber weighs more acquisitions to scale multi-state fiber platform

Article by Rachel Stone, Originally Published on IONAnalytics.com

I Squared Capital-backed Ezee Fiber is evaluating additional acquisitions to accelerate scale and extend its regional fiber platform, CEO Matt Marino said.

While the Houston-based company remains focused on organic growth, it could consider tuck-in or larger scale platform acquisitions where there is operational alignment and geographic logic, Marino said, noting it’s more about the profile of each potential target than the size. It doesn’t want to get distracted by acquisitions but will be opportunistic in considering deals, he added.

Ezee Fiber currently operates in Texas, New Mexico, and Washington and is planning a USD 400m network build in Chicago. It does not feel geographically constrained since each geography is locally managed, and Ezee Fiber has a corporate structure on top of those, Marino said, pointing to “tremendous” operating leverage that comes with scale.

The company last December acquired Conterra Networks’ fiber optic assets and network in New Mexico, which was an asset purchase that allowed Ezee Fiber to get speed to market at cost, the CEO said.

Adding markets is an insignificant incremental cost compared to the revenue growth that can be generated, Marino said. Large telecoms like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile are also entering the fray looking to sell fiber among its bundled services, creating an environment ripe for consolidation, he added.

Notable recent transactions, according to Marino, include Brookfield’s acquisition of Hotwire reportedly valuing the internet service provider at around USD 7bn; T-Mobile’s joint ventures in Lumos and Metronet, and BCE’s acquisition of Ziply Fiber for CAD 5bn.

Ezee Fiber in July announced it agreed to acquire Houston-based peer Tachus Fiber Internet, a target that was attractive because of its similar operating DNA and adjacency to Ezee Fiber’s existing footprint, Marino said. He declined to comment on deal financials but said Ezee Fiber has no debt.

While the company declined to disclose revenue, Marino said Ezee Fiber is multiplying its top-line growth year-over-year and has strong recurring revenue. The fiber buildout requires significant upfront capital investment, so profitability is not an immediate focus, he said.

I Squared Capital formed Ezee Fiber in 2021 with an inaugural acquisition of ICTX WaveMedia in the Houston metropolitan area. I Squared invested in Ezee Fiber from its ISQ Global Infrastructure Fund III, and Ezee Fiber marked the firm’s first digital infrastructure investment in North America.

Asked about potential exit considerations, Marino said the firm is committed to executing on growth plans, including evaluating strategic acquisitions. “We have a plan to grow Ezee Fiber over the coming years to be one of if not the largest independent fiber companies out there,” he said.

Following its Tachus acquisition, the combined company will serve more than 100,000 residential, commercial, government, and education customers.

Ezee Fiber competes against the cable companies, Marino said. Its product has been recognized as one of the fastest Internet service providers in the US and having the lowest latency in its Houston and Albuquerque markets, he added.