Macquarie Infrastructure Partners Acquires Bluebird Network to Expand Fiber Offering

Bluebird Network, LLC (“Bluebird”), a Midwest telecommunications company, is excited to announce the close of its acquisition by Macquarie Infrastructure Partners (MIP), one of the largest infrastructure funds in the world.

Through this acquisition, Bluebird will increase its fiber footprint even further, providing greater access to existing customers and reaching out to new service areas. Bluebird remains committed to maintaining its personalized level of service while gaining capacity to increase the scope of its operations.

The transaction provides Bluebird an immediate 2,500 fiber route mile expansion into Illinois, including the cities of Rockford, Peoria, Bloomington, Normal and the Quad Cities area. Future network builds are planned to connect more communities and achieve greater fiber densification.

In addition, the company’s underground colocation facility, the Bluebird Underground Data Center, located in Springfield, Missouri, is undergoing a second major expansion to increase power and available space for customers.

Bluebird Network has positioned itself as a leading transport network and internet provider in the Midwest for 20 years thanks to a combination of technologically advanced fiber, scalable, adaptable infrastructure and dedicated, unique employees.

Bluebird believes all businesses deserve the connectivity required to thrive in the modern digital landscape, and they are supported by a loyal, diverse customer base throughout Missouri, Illinois and the surrounding states.

“We are pleased to expand Macquarie Infrastructure Partners’ communications infrastructure portfolio with the acquisition of Bluebird,” said Karl Kuchel, CEO of MIP. “As bandwidth needs continue to rise, fiber has become the essential backbone for high-performance connectivity networks. We look forward to working with Bluebird’s experienced management team to grow the company’s network and services in the years ahead.”

This acquisition strengthens Bluebird’s promise to best serve its customers, providing businesses and communities access to robust, flexible, high-speed transport and internet services.

“Bluebird Network is proud to be among the top telecommunications providers in the country,” said Michael Morey, the President and CEO of Bluebird Network. “With this acquisition, Bluebird remains well positioned to expand its offerings in new cities and communities and to continue providing the highest levels of service offerings to enterprise, carrier and wireless customers. Come grow with us!”

Since 1999, Bluebird Network, headquartered in Columbia, Missouri, has provided internet and fiber transport services to Carriers and Enterprises in Missouri, Illinois and the surrounding states.

In 2014, an underground data center was acquired and created Bluebird Underground, adding a data center facility to the Bluebird suite of services. With this acquisition, the network now has over 8,000 fiber route miles of high-speed broadband and fiber-optic connections.

Bluebird fiber network also has over 127 Points of Presence (PoP) sites spanning the Midwest, including the major cities of Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield, Tulsa, Peoria, Rockford, Bloomington, Normal and the Quad Cities.