TW Telecom Expands in Portland

Not to be outdone by the little guys, national metro fiber and services provider TW Telecom (NASDAQ:TWTC, news, filings) announced an expansion of its own today.  They have constructed a new fiber loop connecting Tualatin and Lake Oswego, including the Kruse Way business district, to the company’s already extensive metro network.  They have long been active in Portland, even buying some of Enron’s old fiber at one point.  This expansion follows a substantial expansion in Tulsa late last year, and TW Telecom is clearly not afraid to put capital to work despite the economy.

Yet I can’t help but think that TW Telecom has been awfully quiet lately.  Strategically, despite the recession and all that goes with it, they seem to be in the catbird seat.  They have more on-net buildings than any other company on the continent other than the ILECs, a nationwide footprint, enough cash to be aggressive with, and no maturities anytime soon.  Integration of the Xspedius assets seems to be both complete and successful.  They are both ready and experienced at it now.  Why not finish off that footprint?  Nationwide or not, their assets are relatively sparse in the Northeast.

Yes, it’s definitely too quiet out there in Littleton…  A recession is an opportunity for healthy companies that can afford to take a risk or two.

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Categories: Mergers and Acquisitions · Metro fiber