SkyRiver Communications Completes Acquisition of WestLink Wireless; Acquisition Produces the Largest Fixed Wireless Broadband Coverage Area in California

HostReview.com
Wednesday, March 31, 2004; 12:00 AM

SkyRiver Communications Inc. today announced the completion of its acquisition of Westlake Village, Calif.-based WestLink Wireless following the completed approval of WestLink's owners.
The acquisition increases SkyRiver's presence in Southern California with coverage spanning from the San Fernando Valley to Ventura County, as well as the Santa Clarita, Valencia and Newhall areas.
"This deal strengthens our position as the premiere broadband wireless access carrier in the Western U.S. by expanding SkyRiver's coverage area into the largest wireless presence in California," said SkyRiver President Shekhar Deshpande. "We welcome WestLink's customers to the SkyRiver family and are excited about introducing new coverage areas to our distribution and reseller partners."
"As the broadband wireless industry continues to build momentum through consolidation, BridgeWest remains fully committed to supporting SkyRiver," said Dr. Massih Tayebi, former chairman and co-founder of Wireless Facilities Inc. (Nasdaq:WFII) and current CEO and co-founder of BridgeWest, one of Southern California's largest investment firms focused on emerging companies in the telecommunications and Internet space.

The WestLink acquisition is a result of SkyRiver's aggressive growth strategy. In addition to expanding organically, SkyRiver is taking a leadership position in consolidating the highly fragmented fixed wireless broadband industry. SkyRiver has a dedicated in-house merger and acquisition team and is working closely with the Heitman Consulting Group, a consulting organization focused on service provider merger and acquisition strategies.

Eddie West, former WestLink CEO and president of SkyRiver's Wireless Security Division commented, "We looked into several opportunities and the decision was simple. SkyRiver's business model and indirect relationships with established service providers such as Time-Warner Cable in San Diego, PE.net in Riverside and Ultimate Internet Access in Ontario affirm our belief in SkyRiver as the premiere wireless provider."

About SkyRiver Communications

SkyRiver Communications Inc., founded in September 2000 and headquartered in San Diego, is a wholesale broadband wireless access (BWA) provider of low cost, high-speed Internet access services. SkyRiver deploys and operates last-mile broadband and Wi-Fi networks in Southern California, with plans to expand to other market areas in 2003. Wireless broadband access service can be installed within three business days, and typically is less expensive than traditional wireline services such as business grade DSL and T-1s.