It complements Intrepid’s active fiber construction in Corona, Riverside, Vista and San Marcos; on a combined basis, Intrepid’s San Diego County networks will serve more than 100,000 homes and businesses.
After it meets customary closing conditions and applicable regulatory approvals, Intrepid expects the deal to close in late 2026. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
“This transaction accelerates our California strategy and is a natural complement to the construction we already have underway in the state,” said Jack Waters, CEO of Intrepid Fiber Networks.
Maintaining open access
While still an evolving segment of broadband, Intrepid Fiber reflects growing interest in open-access broadband networks.
Outside of California, Intrepid Fiber also operates in various markets in Colorado and Minnesota. In several of these markets, Intrepid Fiber has partnered with T-Mobile Fiber to offer service to consumers and businesses.
When it completes its acquisition of Ubiquiti’s Southern California operations, it will remain a wholesale open-access model, like Intrepid’s existing network base.
Waters noted the acquisition is a bolt-on deal that allows it to expand over time.
“We are adding a well-engineered, in-service network with an established customer base, durable municipal relationships and a proven open-access deployment, doing so in a market our team knows well,” he said. “Our objective from here is to integrate and scale the network.”
Focus on continuity
A key element of the acquisition is maintaining continuity of operations and an eye on network expansion.
When the acquisition closes, operations and employees of Ubiquity’s Southern California network will transition under Intrepid’s management, with customers continuing to receive the same service through their existing Internet Service Providers (ISPs).
As part of the transaction, Ubiquity's Southern California team, which has overseen the network, will transition to Intrepid.
While it did lay out specific plans, Intrepid said network construction will continue at an accelerated pace as it expands its services across the region.
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