CLEC Merger: Access Integrated Networks + Birch Telecom

Access Integrated Networks has agreed to merge with Birch Telecom, creating one of the largest competitive local exchange carriers in the south-eastern region. The combined company will have more than 300,000 voice and data lines, 100,000 small and medium business customers, annual revenue of $200 million and 400 employees. Both companies are privately held and financial terms were not disclosed.

http://www.accesscomm.com

http://www.birch.com

• Access Integrated Networks serves nine Southeastern states including: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. The company was founded in 1996 and is based in Macon, Georgia.
• Birch Telecom serves 130,000 customers in more than 50 metropolitan markets across 12 states, including Kansas City, St. Louis, Houston, Dallas, Ft. Worth, Atlanta, Charlotte, Memphis, and Nashville. The company was founded in 1997 and emerged from Chapter 11 in 2006.