United Communications’ Loretto Telecom acquisition enhances its Middle Tennessee fiber reach
Key Highlights
- The acquisition will add over 8,000 locations in Lawrence County to United's service area, with no immediate operational changes for Loretto customers.
- United plans to retain the Loretto Telecom name and expand its local team to accelerate network upgrades and service offerings.
- Loretto Telecom’s status as a Smart Rural Community aligns with United’s focus on rural broadband expansion and community-driven growth.
- The deal reflects ongoing consolidation in the regional fiber market, with over 400 small providers in the U.S. potentially ripe for acquisition.
- United’s strategic growth includes partnerships with electric cooperatives and targeted acquisitions to double its fiber-connected homes in recent years.
United Communications is acquiring Loretto Telecom, a deal that will add another county to its growing Middle Tennessee service area.
Loretto Telecom, a rural internet provider that traces its roots back to 1897 with 20 employees, serves over 8,000 locations in Lawrence County.
Providing a consistent experience is a key priority for United.
While the acquisition awaits final regulatory approval, which United expects to be done at the end of 2025, Loretto customers will not experience any operational changes or service interruptions.
Also, United intends to retain the Loretto Telecom name and expand the local team to accelerate product upgrades and network expansion throughout Lawrence County.
William Bradford, president and CEO of United Communications, said Loretto Telecom’s “local presence and experience were major contributing factors to this acquisition.”
Rural customer-centric focus
As United moves forward with its Loretto acquisition, the company will continue to focus on its rural customer focus. Loretto has established itself as a Smart Rural Community (SRC).
At the heart of the SRC concept is being a fiber-based provider. The Smart Rural Community network is supported by local broadband providers, educators, health care providers, farmers, small business owners, and other partners committed to driving growth and creating opportunities in their hometowns.
Josh Lynch, COO at United Communications, a co-founder of Athena Broadband before its acquisition by United in 2017, said Loretto also brings the same customer-centric dedication.
“When we became a part of United, we saw how our companies’ shared values resulted in a higher standard of customer service and innovation,” said Lynch. “Loretto’s team brings that same spirit—enthusiasm, integrity, and dedication to providing high-quality, personalized service to every customer.”
Multi-pronged growth strategy
United Communications has continued to use a mix of organic growth coupled with targeted acquisitions to enhance its reach. Loretto is the fourth acquisition for United, which has more than doubled the number of connected homes and businesses served by its fiber network over the last three years and established itself as a major Middle Tennessee broadband provider.
Since telecom veterans Gene Johnson and William Bradford purchased the former United Telephone Company in 2011, the service provider has continued to expand its network presence.
Perhaps one of its biggest moves was to establish a partnership with the Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation, the country’s second-largest electric cooperative, to expand broadband and smart grid services to its members.
But United Communications’ latest move to acquire Loretto reflects the ongoing consolidation trend in the regional and rural fiber broadband market.
Consolidation in the regional fiber broadband market is expected to continue accelerating over the next year. According to a survey conducted by AlixPartners last fall, more than 400 small fiber providers in the U.S. “are ripe for picking by investors or larger fiber companies when the inevitable major fiber consolidation wave occurs.”
AlixPartners estimates that there are about 1,900 small-scale fiber companies in the U.S., with about 1,000 of these companies being either electric co-ops or affiliated with more prominent energy players.
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