Zayo Group
{{short description|American communications company}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2016}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2016}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Zayo Group Holdings, Inc.
| logo = Zayo_Group_logo.svg
| type = Private
| industry = Communications infrastructure
| founders = {{unbulleted list|Dan Caruso|John Scarano|Matt Erickson}}
| foundation = {{Start date and age|2007}}
| traded_as = {{NYSE was|ZAYO}} (2014–2020)
| location_city = Boulder, Colorado
| location_country = U.S.
| area_served =
| key_people = Kevin Turner (Chairman)
Steve Smith (CEO)
Jeff Noto (CFO)
Andres Irlando (President){{cite web|url=https://www.fiercetelecom.com/telecom/zayo-aims-maintain-momentum-after-double-digit-growth-22|title=Zayo aims to maintain momentum after double-digit growth in '22|publisher=Fierce|date=2023-03-21}}
Nikos Katinakis (CTO){{cite web|url=https://advanced-television.com/2024/02/27/zayo-group-appoints-katinakis-as-cto/|title=Zayo Group appoints Katinakis as CTO|publisher=Advanced Television|date=2024-02-27}}
| products =
| services = Fiber and bandwidth connectivity, colocation and cloud infrastructure
| revenue = {{decrease}} US$2.58 billion (2019){{cite web|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1502756/000155837019008467/zgl-20190630x10k.htm|title=US SEC: Form 10-K Zayo Group Holdings, Inc.|publisher=United States Securities and Exchange Commission|date=2019-09-04}}
| operating_income = {{increase}} US$520 million (2019)
| net_income = {{increase}} US$150 million (2019)
| assets = {{increase}} US$9.33 billion (2019)
| equity = {{decrease}} US$1.33 billion (2019)
| owners = {{unbulleted list|EQT AB|Digital Colony}}
| num_employees = 3,781 (2019)
| parent =
| divisions =
| subsid =
| website = {{URL|https://zayo.com}}
| module = {{infobox network service provider|child=yes|asn=6461}}
}}
Zayo Group Holdings, Inc., or Zayo Group, is a privately held company headquartered in Denver, CO, U.S. with European headquarters in London, England. The company provides communications infrastructure services, including fiber and bandwidth connectivity, colocation and cloud infrastructure. Zayo's primary customer segments include wireless carriers, national carriers, ISPs, enterprises and government agencies. Zayo Group was built largely through acquisitions; it took over thirty companies from 2007 to 2014, including AboveNet and 360networks.{{cite web|url=http://news.investors.com/technology/101714-722470-zayo-group-up-16-in-tough-ipo-market.htm|title=IPO Stock Watch: Zayo Group Up 16% In Tough IPO Market ZAYO XENE - Investors.com|author=BRIAN DEAGON|work=Investor's Business Daily}} The company completed an initial public offering of stock raising $600 million in 2014.{{cite web|url=http://seekingalpha.com/article/2568965-ipo-preview-zayo-group-holdings|title=IPO Preview: Zayo Group Holdings|author=IPOdesktop|date=17 October 2014}} In 2020, Zayo Group was taken private by global investment firms EQT AB and Digital Colony Partners in a deal valued at $14.3 billion.
Founding and acquisition history
Zayo was founded in 2007 by Dan Caruso, John Scarano and Matt Ericksonhttps://www.dailycamera.com/2016/05/31/matt-erickson-co-founder-of-boulders-zayo-group-leaving-fast-growing-telecom/ as a Delaware corporation.{{cite news|last1=Raice|first1=Shayndi|title=Fiber-Optic Networks Regain Some Glow|url=https://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052970204467204576048110913769584|access-date=June 3, 2014|publisher=The Wall Street Journal|date=December 29, 2010}}{{cite news|last1=Avery|first1=Greg|title=Zayo Group's Many Acquisitions Puts it in $1 Billion Club|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/print-edition/2013/11/08/zayo-groups-many-acquisitions-puts-it.html|access-date=June 3, 2014|publisher=Denver Business Journal|date=November 8, 2013}} In 2007, Zayo acquired Memphis Networx, VoicePipe,{{cite news|last1=Wirz|first1=Matt|title=Refis Put the Free in Free Cash Flow|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/marketbeat/2013/03/01/refis-put-the-free-in-free-cash-flow|access-date=June 3, 2014|publisher=The Wall Street Journal|date=March 1, 2013}} Onvoy Inc, PPL Telcom{{cite news|title=Former ICG Execs in $225 Million Deal|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2007/08/27/daily54.html|access-date=June 3, 2014|publisher=Denver Business Journal|date=August 30, 2007}} and Indiana Fiber Works.
In 2008, Zayo acquired Columbia Fiber Solution, Adesta Communications assets,{{cite news|last1=Lindenstein|first1=Joshua|title=Zayo Mulls Path to Continued Growth|url=http://www.bcbr.com/article/20140321/EDITION/140329983|access-date=June 3, 2014|publisher=Boulder County Business Report|date=March 21, 2014}} two sets of fiber assets from Citynet,{{cite web|title=Zayo Group Acquires Citynet Fiber Network|date=February 18, 2008 |url=http://www.herald-dispatch.com/x112303236|publisher=The Herald-Dispatch|access-date=April 10, 2014}} two sets of fiber assets from Northwest Telephone,{{cite news|last1=Gubbins|first1=Ed|title=Zayo Closes Seventh Acquisition, Eighth to Follow|url=http://connectedplanetonline.com/independent/news/zayo-acquisition-nti-0602/index.html|access-date=June 3, 2014|publisher=Connected Planet|date=June 2, 2008}} and CenturyTel Regional Markets.
In 2009, Zayo acquired FiberNet Telcom Group, Inc.{{cite news|last=Kang|first=Cecilia|date=June 29, 2009|title=Expansion-Minded RCN Sparks Bidding War for N.Y. Telecom|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/29/AR2009062904002.html|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=April 4, 2014}}
In 2010, Zayo acquired AGL Networks,{{cite web|date=June 28, 2010|title=AGL Networks Sold to Zayo|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2010/06/28/daily54.html|publisher=Atlanta Business Chronicle|access-date=April 10, 2014}} American Fiber Systems, and Dolphini's Cummins Station data center and colocation services.{{cite web|last=Lawley|first=Erin|date=September 29, 2010|title=Dolphini Networks Split Up, Sold|url=http://nashvillepost.com/news/2010/9/29/dolphini_networks_split_up_sold|publisher=Nashville Post|access-date=April 10, 2014}}
In 2011, Zayo acquired MarquisNet data center business in Las Vegas,{{cite web|last=Miller|first=Rich|date=January 3, 2012|title=Zayo Acquires MarquisNet Las Vegas Business|url=http://www.datacenterknowledge.com/archives/2012/01/03/zayo-acquires-marquisnet-las-vegas-business/|publisher=Data Center Knowledge|access-date=April 4, 2014}} and 360networks.{{cite news|title=360networks Being Acquired By Zayo|url=http://seattletimes.com/html/businesstechnology/2016438359_zayo360networks08.html|access-date=June 3, 2014|publisher=The Seattle Times|date=October 7, 2011}}
In 2012 Zayo acquired AboveNet,{{cite news|last1=De La Merced|first1=Michael|title=Zayo to Buy AboveNet for $2.2 Billion to Extend Fiber Network|url=https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2012/03/19/zayo-to-buy-abovenet-for-2-2-billion-to-extend-fiber-network|access-date=April 4, 2014|work=The New York Times|date=March 19, 2012}} FiberGate,{{cite web|title=Zayo Group Completes FiberGate Purchase|url=http://www.channelpartnersonline.com/news/2012/09/zayo-group-completes-fibergate-purchase.aspx|publisher=Channel Partners Online|access-date=10 April 2014}} Arialink,{{cite news|title=Zayo Completes Arialink Acquisition|url=http://www.channelpartnersonline.com/news/2012/05/zayo-completes-arialink-acquisition.aspx|access-date=June 3, 2014|publisher=Channel Partners|date=May 2, 2012}} US Carrier Telecom,{{cite news|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/print-edition/2013/10/18/zayo-groups-success-built-on-bigger.html|title=Zayo Group's Success Built on Bigger Bandwidth|date=October 18, 2013|publisher=Denver Business Journal|last1=Moore|first1=Paula|access-date=4 June 2014}} First Telecom Services, and Maryland-based Litecast/Balticore.{{cite news|last1=Pankratz|first1=Howard|title=Louisville's Zayo Group buys Baltimore Firm for $22 Million|url=http://www.denverpost.com/News/ci_22192433/Louisvilles-Zayo-Group-buys-Baltimore-firm|access-date=June 3, 2014|publisher=The Denver Post|date=December 14, 2012}}
In 2013, Zayo acquired Austin-based data center operator Core NAP,{{cite web|title=Zayo Enters Austin Market with Core NAP Acquisition|url=http://www.datacenterdynamics.com/focus/archive/2013/06/zayo-enters-austin-market-core-nap-acquisition|publisher=Datacenter Dynamics FOCUS|access-date=10 April 2014}} Access Communications,{{cite news|last1=Avery|first1=Greg|title=Zayo Group Buys Denver-Chicago Fiber-optic Route|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/blog/boosters_bits/2013/10/zayo-group-buys-denver-chicago-fiber.html|access-date=June 3, 2014|publisher=Denver Business Journal|date=Oct 7, 2013}} Midwest-based dark fiber operator FiberLink,{{cite web|last=Malik|first=Om|title=It's Fiber Monday: Zayo & Time Warner Cable Go Fiber Network Shopping|url=http://gigaom.com/2013/10/07/its-fiber-monday-zayo-time-warner-cable-go-fiber-network-shopping/|publisher=GIGAOM|access-date=8 April 2014|date=2013-10-07}} and Corelink Data Centers.
In 2014, Zayo acquired Dallas-based data center operator CoreXchange, French network operator Neo Telecoms SAS{{cite news|last1=Rath|first1=John|title=Zayo Acquires Neo Telecoms|url=http://www.datacenterknowledge.com/archives/2014/04/29/zayo-acquires-neo-telecoms/|access-date=June 3, 2014|publisher=Data Center Knowledge|date=April 29, 2014}} and UK-based Geo Networks.{{cite news|last1=Scroxton|first1=Alex|title=Zayo Buys UK Dark Fibre Provider Geo Networks|url=http://www.computerweekly.com/news/2240220905/Zayo-buys-UK-dark-fibre-provider-Geo-Networks|access-date=June 3, 2014|publisher=Computer Weekly|date=May 19, 2014}}
In 2015, the company acquired Latisys, IdeaTek Systems and Viatel. In 2016, Zayo acquired a new Dallas, TX data center from Stream Data Centers,{{Cite news|url=http://www.datacenterknowledge.com/archives/2016/01/07/stream-sells-dallas-data-center-to-zayo/|title=Stream Sells Dallas Data Center to Zayo {{!}} Data Center Knowledge|date=2016-01-07|newspaper=Data Center Knowledge|language=en-US|access-date=2016-12-24}} Clearview International and Allstream, Canada's main facilities-based inter-exchange carrier which has its roots in the railway telegraph business CNCP Telecommunications.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/manitoba-telecom-services-sells-allstream-business-for-465m-1.3330947|title=Manitoba Telecom Services sells Allstream business for $465M|access-date=September 29, 2016}} {{As of|2016|07|post=,}} Zayo has completed 39 acquisitions.
On November 30, 2016, Zayo Group Holdings Inc said it would buy smaller rival Electric Lightwave for $1.42 billion in cash to expand its fiber network on the U.S. West Coast.{{cite web|title=Zayo acquires Electric Lightwave for $1.42B, deepens western market fiber holdings|url=http://www.fiercetelecom.com/telecom/zayo-acquires-electric-lightwave-for-1-42b-deepens-western-market-fiber-holdings|publisher=fiercetelecom.com|date=2016-11-30|access-date=2017-04-12}}
In November 2017, Zayo purchased Spread Networks, a company that operated an 825-mile-long fiber route connecting New York and Chicago.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/denver/news/2017/11/27/zayo-buying-new-york-chicago-fiber-line-for-127.html|title=Zayo buying New York-Chicago fiber line for $127 million|website=www.bizjournals.com|access-date=2018-01-22}}
In January 2018, Zayo announced they would be acquiring Optic Zoo Networks, a Vancouver, BC based fiber operation.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/denver/news/2018/01/22/zayo-makes-25-million-purchase-in-western-canada.html|title=Zayo makes $25 million purchase in western Canada|website=www.bizjournals.com|access-date=2018-01-22}}
In May 2019, Zayo announced an agreement to be acquired by EQT AB and Digital Colony.{{cite web |last1=Narcisi |first1=Gina |title=Fiber Provider Zayo Will Go Private In $14.3 Billion Deal |url=https://www.crn.com/news/networking/fiber-provider-zayo-will-go-private-in-14-3-billion-deal |website=CRN |date=8 May 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/zayo-to-be-taken-private-for-35-a-share-in-cash-2019-05-08|title=UPDATE: Zayo stock zooms 9% premarket on news to be taken private for $35 a share in cash|last=Linnane|first=Ciara|website=MarketWatch|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-08}} The deal to take Zayo private was completed in March 2020.{{Cite news |last=Rubino |first=Joe |date=2020-03-10 |title=Boulder born and (still) based Zayo Group is a private company once more after $14.3B sale |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2020/03/10/zayo-group-boulder-sale/ |work=The Denver Post}}
In January 2022, Zayo announced they would be acquiring QOS Networks from majority owner M/C Partners.{{Cite web|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220112006031/en/ |title=Zayo Group to Acquire QOS Networks From M/C Partners |website=businesswire.com |date=2022-01-12}}
In November 2023, Zayo announced the acquisition of a Stuttgart-based fiber infrastructure and network services company, Globalways GmbH.{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Zayo to Acquire Leading Stuttgart B2B Connectivity Provider Globalways |url=https://www.thefastmode.com/solution-vendors-m-a/34017-zayo-to-acquire-leading-stuttgart-b2b-connectivity-provider-globalways |access-date=2023-11-27 |website=www.thefastmode.com |language=en}}
In February 2024, Zayo announced the appointment of telecommunications executive Nikos Katinakis as its new Chief Technology Officer.
In March 2024, Zayo announced its partnership with Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) developer Netskope for its Managed Edge services.{{Cite web |last=Sharma |first=Ray |title=Zayo Partners with Netskope to Expand Managed Edge Offerings |url=https://www.thefastmode.com/technology-solutions/35303-zayo-partners-with-netskope-to-expand-managed-edge-offerings |access-date=2024-03-20 |website=www.thefastmode.com |language=en}}
On March 13, 2025, Zayo announced the intended acquisition of Crown Castle's fiber solutions business for $4.25 billion.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-13 |title=Crown Castle to sell fiber assets to EQT Active Core and Zayo in $8.5 billion deal |url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/crown-castle-sell-fiber-assets-two-entities-85-billion-deal-2025-03-13/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=Reuters}}
=Onvoy spinoff=
On June 13, 2014, Onvoy spun off from Zayo Group Holdings.[25] On June 16, 2014, Onvoy LLC acquired the assets of Vitelity, a voice over IP provider based in Denver, Colorado.{{cite web|url=https://www.onvoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Final-Law-Enfocement-Support-Info-for-Website-10.3.14.pdf |title=Law Enforcement Support|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129032910/https://www.onvoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Final-Law-Enfocement-Support-Info-for-Website-10.3.14.pdf|archive-date=2014-11-29|access-date=2023-08-25}} On September 3, 2015, Onvoy LLC acquired Broadvox Communications, a competitive local exchange carrier VoIP service provider for business telecommunications.{{cite web|url=http://www.vitelity.com/blog/2015/09/official-onvoy-national-powerhouse-acquisition-broadvox/|title=It's Official: Onvoy Becomes National Powerhouse With Acquisition of Broadvox|date=September 3, 2015|access-date=September 29, 2016}}
Network and services
Zayo owns a fiber network that spans more than 130,000 route miles in North America and Europe. Zayo operates a Tier 1 IP network, with settlement-free peering with all other Tier 1 providers. Zayo's services include dark fiber, wavelengths, SONET, Ethernet, SD-WAN, IP services, colocation, wireless backhaul and small cells.{{citation needed|date=April 2017}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
Category:American companies established in 2007
Category:Telecommunications companies established in 2007
Category:2007 establishments in Colorado
Category:Companies based in Boulder, Colorado
Category:Telecommunications companies of the United States
Category:Companies formerly listed on the New York Stock Exchange
Category:2014 initial public offerings
Category:Private equity portfolio companies