PowerNet Acquires Aleron, a Tier-1 IP Backbone
PowerNet Global Communications agreed to purchase substantially all the assets of Aleron, a tier-one backbone IP network and nationwide dialup Internet access provider. Financial terms were not disclosed. PowerNet Global said it would retain Aleron's staff and its current location in Herndon, Virginia. It also plans to expand the Aleron network to additional Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities across the US, as well as introduce new VoIP services. Separately, PowerNet said it was still seeking "strategically distressed" acquisition candidates in related businesses.

16-May-02

• In October 2001, Aleron, a privately-held company backed by Goldman Sachs, agreed to acquire Telia AB’s Internet backbone subsidiary in the US. Financial terms were not disclosed. In January, Aleron announced the activation of its nationwide MPLS-based IP backbone. The network uses upgraded optical infrastructure and 2.5 Gbps wavelengths. Aleron operates POPs in ten cities: Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Palo Alto, Seattle and Washington DC. It also provides additional access POPs in Boston, Cleveland, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Raleigh and San Diego.
• Aleron’s majority shareholder is Goldman Sachs. The company is headed by Paolo Guidi, who previously was the Chairman and CEO of Teleglobe Communications. Its executive team also includes Steve Heap, formerly VP of network planning at Teleglobe; Jeff Barrows, formerly Director of Internetwork Engineering at UUNet; and David Kim, formerly VP of Internet Technology at Broadwing.