Request a Quote

We will get back to you as soon as possible.

Tour Our Datacenter

Tour Our Datacenter

Frequently Asked Questions About Bluebird Network’s Acquisition by Macquarie Infrastructure Partners 

  What are the details of the acquisition?

Bluebird Network, LLC (“Bluebird”), is excited to announce the close of its acquisition by Macquarie Infrastructure Partners (“Macquarie”), a fund managed by Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets, one of the world’s leading alternative asset managers. Through this acquisition, Bluebird increased its fiber footprint even further, providing greater access to existing customers and reaching out to new service areas. The transaction provides Bluebird an immediate 2,500 fiber route mile expansion into Illinois, Iowa and Indiana, including the cities of Rockford, Peoria, Bloomington, Normal and the Quad Cities area. Included in this transaction, Bluebird will be acquiring existing customers from Uniti Midwest.

Bluebird remains committed to maintaining its personalized level of service while increasing the scope of its operations. This acquisition strengthens the company’s promise to best serve its customers, providing businesses and communities access to robust, flexible, high-speed transport and internet services.

 

Who is Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets?

Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets (MIRA) is one of the world’s leading alternative asset managers. For more than two decades, MIRA has partnered with investors, governments and communities to manage, develop and enhance assets relied on by more than 100 million people each day. As at March 31, 2019, MIRA managed $US129 billion in assets that are essential to the sustainable development of economies and communities, including; 155 portfolio businesses, ~600 properties and 4.7 million hectares of farmland.

 

MIRA is a part of Macquarie Asset Management, the asset management arm of Macquarie Group, a diversified financial group providing clients with asset management and finance, banking, advisory and risk and capital solutions across debt, equity and commodities.

The Bluebird acquisition is the first fiber network investment by MIRA in the United States. Additional information about Macquarie can be found on its website at macquarie.com.

 

How will this acquisition affect Bluebird Media, Missouri Network Alliance and the Bluebird Underground Data Center?

Macquarie is acquiring Missouri Network Alliance and Bluebird Network, LLC, which includes the Bluebird Underground Data Center.

 

What will be the Bluebird HQ location?

The Bluebird HQ will remain in Columbia, Missouri. All four current Bluebird offices (Columbia, Lee’s Summit, St. Louis, and Springfield, Missouri) will remain unchanged. Bluebird will be acquiring an additional office in Peoria, Illinois.

 

What were the driving factors for this acquisition?

Bluebird’s goal is to achieve strategic network expansion to better support its customers. This acquisition was completed to allow for Bluebird to accelerate its infrastructure growth and to position Bluebird for future growth in the Midwest and beyond. Bluebird believes all businesses deserve the connectivity required to thrive in the modern digital landscape, and this acquisition will allow the company to achieve greater fiber densification, expand its offerings in new cities and communities and continue providing the highest levels of service offerings to enterprise, carrier and data center customers.

Macquarie has shown its faith in the Bluebird employee team and is supportive of the Bluebird platform expansion plan.

 

Will Bluebird Network be providing the same fiber services in the same areas?

Bluebird Network and the Bluebird Underground Data Center are offering the same quality service portfolio in the existing service areas, and will now leverage an expanded fiber footprint with an additional 2,500 fiber route miles into Illinois, Iowa and Indiana including the cities of Rockford, Peoria, Bloomington, Normal and the Quad Cities area. Bluebird continues to complete strategic expansions and densification in its existing areas and surrounding states in addition to the newly acquired infrastructure.

 

Will Bluebird be expanding its fiber reach?

Bluebird has already started a strategic expansion of its fiber network, significantly increasing its capital expenditure and fiber footprint. Bluebird recently completed fiber expansions in Weldon Spring, Wentzville, Dardenne Prairie and Cottleville and is currently building in Springfield, Missouri, Joplin, Jefferson City and other areas.

 

What number should I call to contact Bluebird?

For all existing Bluebird customers, Bluebird contact information will remain the same. This includes contact information for sales, trouble reporting (NOC), requesting a quote, accounts payable, the Bluebird Network website, the Bluebird Underground Data Center, etc.

Uniti Midwest customers that have joined Bluebird continue to contact their current sales representative and will be notified when they will be transferred to a Bluebird representative.

Uniti Midwest vendors that have joined Bluebird will be given the contact information for Bluebird Network through a personalized email notification.

Who should I contact if I have additional questions?

You may contact Sue Schaefer at [email protected] with any additional questions.

 

Thank you for your trust in Bluebird Network.  We are excited about all this acquisition will bring!

Request a Service Quote

We will get back to you as soon as possible.