Redzone expands service in Maine with acquisition of GWI assets

Redzone Wireless, LLC, a wireless internet service provider in Maine, has agreed to acquire and operate the wireless internet network assets of GWI, greatly growing its subscriber base. Meanwhile, that will leave GWI to focus on its fiber deployments.

GWI (Biddeford Internet Corp.) primarily operated its wireless business in the state’s midcoast region and island communities, which means Redzone will have a more rural and island-based customer base going forward.

"The new areas now covered by Redzone are extremely complementary to our existing network. We are particularly excited to be adding services to many rural and island communities,” said Redzone President Jim McKenna in a release from the company.

The statement did not disclose financial details of the deal.

Redzone will immediately start providing service to its hundreds of new wireless subscribers. It said that customers need to take no action and that there will be “No change to [their] current wireless plan and/or VoIP service.”

Redzone has put major investments into its Maine wireless business in recent years. Last year, Redzone began deploying LTE Advanced in Maine using the 2.5 GHz band. And in February earlier this year, Redzone activated new sites, increasing capacity threefold in Portland, Maine, and significantly expanding its coverage areas.

For GWI’s part, the company framed the deal as a way to focus on fiber-optic business.

“Our company's focus is on fiber-optic deployment and, given our trajectory, selling our wireless assets to a company whose primary attention is on wireless deployment will be better for business and residential customers alike,” said GWI CEO Fletcher Kittredge in the release.

For more:
- see the Redzone press release
- learn more about the transition for GWI wireless customers
- read this release about Redzone’s February site activations

Related articles:
Redzone Wireless leans on 2.5 GHz spectrum to deploy LTE Advanced network in Maine