IP-based managed services provider Birch Communications is ringing in 2013 with yet another acquisition, to buy customers and network assets from Covista Communications. The deal, Birch’s 17th since 2006, will expand its hosted PBX and managed services reach in regions across the country—a priority, Birch said, for the year to come.
The assets from Covista, which serves business, wholesale and residential customers in 48 states, will be another targeted acquisition, offering complementary switching centers in Tennessee, New York City, and Los Angeles and adding a handful of new markets.
“Covista’s base of high-quality customers are primarily located in several southeastern, southwestern and northeastern states, and fit extremely well into the current Birch footprint,” said Vincent Oddo, Birch president and CEO, in a statement. “This acquisition will strengthen the breadth and scope of the Birch IP-Network and will further enhance our hosted PBX, SIP trunking and wholesale service offerings.”
Both companies have extensive agent and wholesale programs, and presumably the combined portfolio and network will offer both sets of indirect partners a wider service offering.
“We are pleased to know our customers will be receiving the same level of customer care at Birch to which they are accustomed,” said Warren Feldman, president and CEO of Covista. “With a premium network architecture, along with a varied and competitive product offering, our customers should be confident in building their businesses’ future knowing their data and communications services will be provided with excellence and professionalism.”
