FirstLight Fiber Agrees to Acquire G4 Communications' Assets

ALBANY, NY--(Marketwired - Aug 27, 2014) - FirstLight Fiber, a facilities-based telecommunications service provider operating fiber optic networks in Upstate New York and Northern New England with connectivity to Canada, announced today it has signed a definitive Asset Purchase Agreement to acquire substantially all of the assets of New Hampshire-based G4 Communications, including G4's customer base and data center located in Manchester, New Hampshire.

The transaction is expected to close following customary regulatory approval.

"Acquiring G4's impressive customer base and state-of-the-art data center is exciting news for FirstLight. These assets are a natural complement to our existing capabilities, expand on our already strong presence in New Hampshire and further our commitment to invest in the regions we serve, benefitting our customers and the local community," commented Kurt Van Wagenen, President and Chief Executive Officer of FirstLight.

FirstLight Fiber, founded in 1999, has been building and operating its own fiber optic network for 15 years. Today, its fiber network spans 190,000 fiber miles throughout New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts and New York and includes four data center facilities serving the needs of wholesale and business customers. FirstLight's clientele includes national wireline and wireless telecommunications service providers, and leading enterprises, including healthcare organizations, colleges and universities, high tech manufacturing, financial institutions, K-12 schools, public safety as well as state and local government.

Founded in 1993 and headquartered in Manchester, New Hampshire, G4 Communications is one of New Hampshire's oldest and largest privately held Internet Service Providers, offering broadband data and Internet solutions, telephony services and other telecommunications services. G4's customer base includes state and local government, K-12 schools, healthcare organizations and other enterprise organizations seeking high quality IP-based services supported by local service and support. FirstLight's resources and facilities in Nashua, New Hampshire will serve to enhance support and services offered to G4's customers.

"G4's mission is to bring IP-based broadband data and Internet services as well as telephony services to businesses throughout New England," stated Gent Cav, Founder and President of G4 Communications. "As part of FirstLight, we will be better equipped to fulfill that mission. This transaction provides us the resources necessary to enable continued growth and innovation. The G4 staff looks forward to joining FirstLight and continuing to provide the same locally-based, high quality service and support that our customers have come to expect."

To learn more about FirstLight, visit www.firstlight.net, or follow the Company on Twitter and LinkedIn.

About FirstLight Fiber

FirstLight Fiber, headquartered in Albany, NY with offices in Nashua, NH and Williston, VT, provides fiber optic data, Internet, colocation and voice services to enterprise and carrier customers in Upstate New York and Northern New England with connectivity to Canada utilizing its own fiber optic network, which spans over 190,000 fiber miles connecting in excess of 1,500 lit locations. FirstLight offers a robust suite of advanced telecommunications products, including dedicated Internet access, Ethernet, traditional TDM solutions, SIP trunks, virtual PBX and audio-conferencing, managed commercial wireless systems, and Data Center Colocation. FirstLight's clientele includes national cellular providers and CLECs and many leading enterprises, spanning high tech manufacturing and research, hospitals and healthcare, banking and financial, secondary education, colleges and universities, and local and state governments. FirstLight is a portfolio company of Boston-based private equity firm Riverside Partners.

About G4 Communications

Founded in 1993, G4 Communications headquartered in Manchester, NH is one of New Hampshire's oldest and largest privately held Internet Service Providers, offering broadband data and internet solutions as well as telephony services. In our 15 year history, we have demonstrated exceptional growth all the while maintaining consistent profitability. G4 Communications staff is highly experienced with a longstanding background in the telecommunications, data services and IP applications arena. Our collective experience and technology expertise allows us to offer our customers the benefits of conducting business with a large vendor combined with the exceptional, locally-based customer service you would expect from a regional class vendor. Part of G4's growth oriented strategy has been built around our corporate mandate and long term strategy to bring telephony and IP based broadband services to the entire New England region.