Unite Private Networks extends fiber network to Yuma, Arizona

Unite Private Networks (UPN), which is now integrated with Segra under Cox Communications, is bringing its network services to Yuma, Arizona.

The expansion is another move UPN is taking to scale its fiber network reach. UPN will bring seventy miles of high-count fiber infrastructure throughout Yuma, yielding over 2,450 serviceable on-net business buildings. UPN will also establish a network hub in Yuma and deploy diverse connectivity to UPN’s network in Denver for enhanced network resiliency.

Wholesale carrier customers will also benefit from the expansion.

Area carrier customers will now have access to Optical Ethernet and Internet Access supported by a low-latency fiber network. Besides offering a new service option, UPN will invest in the community and network by employing a local operations team to install and maintain the service.

“We are delighted to introduce our high-capacity fiber-optic network to Yuma,” said Jeremy Andrews, Group Vice President of Strategic Networks. “Our goal is to provide local carriers with reliable and efficient high-speed fiber services, and we look forward to partnering with the community to ensure their connectivity needs are met with utmost satisfaction.”

Ramping on-net fiber

Being able to expand on-net fiber reach is a key metric to enhance a provider’s standing in the business services market. Segra and Unite Private Networks were recognized on Vertical Systems Group's 2022 U.S. Fiber Lit Buildings LEADERBOARD.

The two companies held a spot on the research firm’s Challenge Tier, a list of providers with between 5,000 and 14,999 U.S. fiber-lit commercial buildings.

UPN and Segra’s parent Cox remains a dominant holder of on-net fiber to business buildings. It maintained its sixth position on the research firm’s LEADERBOARD. The research group noted that there are twelve companies on its LEADERBOARD in rank order by the number of on-net fiber-lit buildings: AT&T, Verizon, Spectrum Enterprise, Lumen, Comcast Business, Cox Business, Zayo, Crown Castle, Frontier, Brightspeed, Breezeline and Optimum.

These twelve retail and wholesale fiber providers qualify for this benchmark with 15,000 or more on-net U.S. fiber-lit commercial buildings as of year-end 2022.

Strength in numbers

One of the advantages UPN now has been the backing of its larger parent Cox Communications. Cox became the majority owner of UPN in 2016 in partnership with Ridgemont Equity Partners and the UPN management team.

Cox has continued to expand its business services unit via organic growth and targeted acquisitions that complement its service portfolio.

The cable MSO acquired Segra in 2021. Cox has invested in other business services companies, including cloud and managed IT services providers RapidScale and Logicworks.

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