Element8, a next-generation internet service provider (ISP), backed by a [$200 million (€181.30 million) investment from Digital Alpha, has announced its investment into Wisper ISP, led by industry visionary Nathan Stooke. This partnership strengthens Element8’s commitment to expanding high-speed broadband access across the United States.
The partnership with Wisper ISP represents a leap forward in Element8’s national expansion strategy. By joining forces with Wisper ISP, Element8 will leverage its skill, infrastructure, and operational quality to deliver connectivity solutions to the heartland. This move enables Element8’s mission of bridging the digital divide and empowering regions with next-generation broadband technology.
“We are extremely excited about the future of Wisper and the opportunities it presents for both companies,” says Kevin Grace, CEO and president of Element8. “Nathan Stooke and his team at Wisper ISP have established an impressive reputation for providing reliable internet services to rural communities along with thought leadership and service, industry-wide. Together, we will amplify our impact, bringing fast and reliable broadband to even more households, businesses, and educational institutions.”
This investment and the future work together represents a way for private investment to complement public funding to reach as many unserved and underserved customers as possible.
Nathan Stooke, founder and CEO of Wisper ISP, says “Over the last 20 years, the Wisper team and I have worked to build Wisper into the company that it is today, and this new partnership is an exciting next chapter that will be positive for customers, employees, and the wireless industry as a whole.”
“Partnering with a company that has a shared vision and aligned values on how to treat our employees and customers, while we solve the digital divide will be an energising opportunity. We are combining both our federal and state funds with private investment to maximise both in pursuit of connecting the communities that so badly need it,” Stooke continues.
While technology agnostic, with this partnership and investment, Element8 is poised to scale within the broadband industry with Tarana’s ngFWA platform. The company’s advanced next-generation fixed wireless access network, powered by a Cisco core and access network, will help residents and businesses to thrive in the digital age, fostering economic growth, enabling remote work and education, and enhancing the overall quality of life.
“This investment demonstrates Element8 and Digital Alpha’s partnership approach in the industry as we focus on funding digital infrastructure deployments that are enabling digital transformation across local communities,” says Rick Shrotri, founder and managing partner at Digital Alpha Advisors. “We are excited to bring together a tested technology solution to build a national, next generation network,” he continues.
In addition to the [$1.5 billion (€1.36 billion)] assets under management, Digital Alpha brings partnerships with Silicon Valley industry providers focused on next-generation networks, cloud, IoT, and smart city platforms to bring complete solutions to meet every stakeholder’s needs in this new era of connectivity.
“Cisco recognises the transformative power of high-speed broadband connectivity for rural communities. We are thrilled to see private investors complement public funding, making for more efficient and impactful investment to help bridge the digital divide in the United States,” says Brian Rueger, senior director, service provider sales at Cisco. “We look forward to continuing our work with Element8 to change the economics of the internet with a converged network architecture approach to help meet our shared goals for a more inclusive future for all.”
Wisper was represented by Jeff Santoro and Chris Mullaly, investment bankers at Four Points Capital Partners, a FINRA member broker-dealer.
For more information about Element8 and its mission to modernise broadband connectivity, please visit Element8.
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