Dobson Fiber Announces Strategic Partnership with iCON Infrastructure
Dobson Fiber has today agreed to a strategic partnership with iCON Infrastructure, pursuant to which iCON Infrastructure Partners V (“iCON V”) will support Dobson Fiber’s $700 million fiber deployment plan across Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas. The Dobson Family will retain significant ownership of the company and together with iCON V, will continue to support Dobson Fiber's management team and dedicated workforce with the fiber deployment plan.
Dobson Fiber has been providing telecommunications services in Oklahoma for over 85 years having been founded by E.R. “Doc” Dobson in 1936. Today, Dobson Fiber owns and operates a 4,900+ route mile regional fiber optic network that spans Oklahoma and parts of Arkansas and Texas, providing a full suite of high-quality and reliable connectivity services to enterprise, small and medium sized business and residential customers.
The strategic partnership will support Dobson Fiber in its continued mission to provide fast, reliable and local fiber-based internet services to underserved communities. Dobson Fiber has already announced fiber fast internet deployments in Atoka, Duncan, Enid, Lawton, Newalla, Panama, Shady Point, Waurika and Weatherford in Oklahoma and Booneville, Lavaca and Ozark in Arkansas, with further markets to be announced soon.
The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.
Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC served as financial advisor and Mayer Brown LLP as legal counsel to Dobson Fiber. TD Securities served as financial advisor and Milbank LLP as legal counsel to iCON V.
Everett Dobson, Executive Chairman of Dobson Fiber, commented:
“For over 85 years Dobson Fiber has been connecting communities with the latest technology available. This strategic partnership with iCON Infrastructure will allow us to reach more communities and deploy our fiber network much sooner across Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas. Being able to attract outside growth capital is a testament to the organization that our employees have built and represent every day. We look forward to working with iCON Infrastructure for many years to come.”
Rory Hunter, Partner at iCON Infrastructure, commented:
“We have known Everett, Francisco and the Dobson Fiber team since 2018 and are tremendously excited to support the deployment of much needed fiber-based connectivity services to underserved markets in the region. We have had the pleasure of visiting local communities including Enid, Weatherford and Waurika and know how much of a difference fast and reliable fiber internet services can make to people in these areas.”
Francisco Maella, CEO of Dobson Fiber, commented:
“When we began talking with iCON Infrastructure, it was a natural fit for our two organizations to come together for one common goal. Our top priorities are to develop the best possible technology solutions that are not only applicable today, but can be ready to handle data needs in the future. We do this by developing a business plan together that will deliver the latest technologies with the most reliable networks to communities who need better access now.”
For further information, please contact:
Ali Clark, Director of Marketing
Dobson Fiber
t: +1 (405) 242-1116
Rory Hunter, Partner
iCON Infrastructure
t: +1 (929) 226-1447
e: rory.hunter@iconinfrastructure.com
Dobson Fiber owns and operates a 4,900+ mile regional fiber-optic network and provides high-speed internet and voice over internet telephone solutions to residential and business customers in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas. Dobson Fiber is an Oklahoma-based and privately-owned telecommunications company. To learn more, visit dobson.net.
iCON Infrastructure LLP (“iCON Infrastructure” or “iCON”) is an independent investment firm with c.$5 billion in funds under management. iCON focuses on equity investments in infrastructure businesses across North America and Europe across a range of infrastructure sectors including telecoms, water, transportation, healthcare, energy generation, distribution and storage. Investments owned by funds advised by iCON include interests in TruVista Communications and Iowa Interstate Railroad in the US; Capstone Power and Vista Services in Canada; Verbrugge International and Combined Cargo Terminals in the Netherlands; Gruppo Spinelli, EGEA, Eco Eridania and Sestrieres in Italy; Born Fiber and Wind Estate in Denmark; Hannover Airport, USG and Strategic Fiber Networks in Germany; Nua Healthcare Services in Ireland; and Choice Care Group, Green Recovery Projects and Vanguard Healthcare Solutions in the UK. iCON Infrastructure is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Further information is available at: www.iconinfrastructure.com.