Socket Fiber Fastwyre Acquisition Press Release
January 27, 2026
Socket Fiber Announces Acquisition of Fastwyre’s Missouri Network Business
Company to Expand Fiber Footprint Across 16 Markets and More Than 25,000 Missouri Households
Columbia, MO (January 27, 2026) – Socket Fiber, a leading Missouri-based fiber internet service provider, announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Fastwyre’s Missouri network business. The business spans 16 markets and serves more than 25,000 households across the state. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of required regulatory approvals.
This acquisition significantly expands Socket Fiber’s rapidly growing footprint in Missouri and reinforces the company’s long-standing commitment to delivering reliable, high-performance fiber internet service to homes and businesses statewide.
The transaction follows Oak Hill and Pamlico Capital’s acquisition of Socket Fiber and IdeaTek Telecom and advances the combined companies’ ambitious goal of reaching 500,000 homes across the Midwest with fiber networks by 2028. This robust build plan is designed to extend the benefits of high-speed connectivity to underserved and growing communities, supporting regional economic development and local job creation.
“We are excited to add the Fastwyre Missouri business to our Socket footprint in our home state,” said Jim Gleason, Executive Chairman of Socket Fiber. “The Socket and Fastwyre service areas are very complementary, and this combination will allow us to bring even more Missourians high-quality fiber internet service backed by a Missouri-based customer service team.”
“We are delighted to be able to add more fiber areas in Missouri that are contiguous to our Socket Fiber communities. Socket has demonstrated to be a strong, growing fiber platform in our portfolio,” said Jeff Butler of Oak Hill Capital.
About Socket Fiber
Founded more than 30 years ago, Socket Fiber is a fiber optic broadband services platform headquartered in Columbia, Missouri. Serving more than 19 counties, the company operates a future ready network that delivers high-speed internet connectivity to residential and commercial customers throughout the state, with a focus on network reliability, community engagement, and expanding access to critical digital infrastructure.
Socket Fiber and IdeaTek are portfolio companies backed by both Oak Hill Capital and Pamlico Capital including local investors.
Houlihan Lokey served as exclusive financial advisor, and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP served as legal advisor to Socket Fiber.
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