BAI Communications (BAI), a shared communications infrastructure provider, has agreed to acquire ZenFi Networks, a provider of digital infrastructure solutions and innovator in small cell deployment, offload and roaming services, fiber connectivity and network edge colocation. The agreement represents a significant growth opportunity for BAI in North America, building on its existing connected infrastructure capability and operations in the region driven by BAI Group companies Mobilitie and Transit Wireless.
The acquisition further progresses BAI’s vision to become a leading provider of connected 5G infrastructure across North America and globally. The transaction is subject to customary regulatory clearances and is expected to close in the fourth quarter.
The deal expands the technical and service offering that BAI will be able to provide to network operators, enterprises and public municipalities with more specialized scalable solutions. With significant fiber connectivity assets, wireless infrastructure solutions including small cells, and network colocation facilities across the New York and New Jersey metro areas, ZenFi Networks’ infrastructure is a natural extension of the connectivity solutions that Transit Wireless provides across the New York City subway.
The combination of the two offerings, alongside Mobilitie’s 5G outdoor and indoor wireless infrastructure solutions, complements and strengthens BAI’s capability to deliver against its wider 5G growth strategy and become a scale provider across New York and New Jersey, as well as North America.
With an established and proven leadership team led by co-founder and CEO, Ray LaChance, ZenFi brings with it a host of long-established customer relationships, including the rights to provide mobile infrastructure solutions across 4,000 LinkNYC kiosk structures across the city. The acquisition also includes more than 1,100 route miles of fiber network across the New York and New Jersey metro region, as well as unique C-RAN solutions and existing customer contracts with enterprise and mobile network operators.
Igor Leprince, Group CEO of BAI Communications, said: “ZenFi Networks is a long established and high-performing player in the wireless infrastructure sector. As an exciting business with longstanding customer relationships and a reputation for driving innovation, bringing it into the BAI Group is an important step forward in our ongoing push for growth in North America and globally. In the short-term, it enhances our regional operations in the Northeast, further extending the reach of current solutions and expertise we have and building on our vision to assist our customers in delivering an enhanced experience at all points of their customers’ journey, from subway to above ground and from work to home. This also positions us perfectly to support the increasing appetite for connectivity among businesses across North America.”
ZenFi’s LaChance added, “The natural alignment between our business and BAI’s North American operations unlocks a range of opportunities to extend the services and support that we are providing our customers, positioning the business to increase its scale and leadership in connected infrastructure delivery. Our team is excited to join the BAI Group, and we feel strongly that this investment will strengthen our ability to deliver innovative infrastructure solutions for our clients in a sustainable, equitable manner to our communities. BAI’s heritage, proven track record for delivery and prioritization of customer service, and experience in municipal partnerships and community engagement make for a natural cultural fit with our business and client relationships. Combining ZenFi Networks’ established reputation and relationships in and around New York City, and our expertise in fast-growth segments like small cell deployment with the scale and reach that BAI has across North America and globally, creates the perfect platform to capture the increasing 5G and connected infrastructure growth opportunity.”
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC served as exclusive financial advisor to BAI Communications and Latham & Watkins LLP served as legal advisor.
Bank Street Group LLC served as exclusive financial advisor to ZenFi, and Alston & Bird LLP served as legal advisor.
