Cincinnati Bell growing by acquisition

Cincinnati Bell Inc. is growing, reaching into Indiana to acquire firms to add to its menu of business services.

The telecommunications provider acquired South Bend-based GramTel USA, Inc. in a $20 million deal. GramTel, a subsidiary of Chicago-based Jordan Industries, Inc. provides disaster recovery and business continuity services, data backup and co-location services. GramTel has four data centers and expects revenue this year will reach $5 million, an increase of 73 percent over 2006.

Cincinnati Bell gets an entry into the small-business market with the deal. “GramTel's focus on providing disaster recovery and business continuity services to small and mid-tier businesses is a perfect complement to the success Cincinnati Bell has had in serving larger enterprises,’’ says Shane Brown, vice president of business development for Cincinnati Bell.

In December, Cincinnati Bell agreed to acquire eGIX, Inc. of Carmel, Ind. in a transaction worth $18 million. The firm provides advanced voice and data services to business customers throughout the Midwest.

Writer: David Holthaus
Source: Shane Brown, Cincinnati Bell