WaveDivision Capital to Acquire EarthLink
The acquisition has secured backing from the company's management team and investment partners.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Data Centers
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WaveDivision Capital has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire EarthLink. The deal is supported by the management team at the Atlanta-based service provider.
Why it matters
The acquisition unites EarthLink with WaveDivision Capital under a deal supported by key stakeholders including Stephens Capital Partners and The Pritzker Organisation.
EarthLink currently serves over 500,000 internet and managed services customers. Its network infrastructure is capable of delivering fibre broadband services to more than 68 million homes across the United States.
The players
WaveDivision Capital
This investment firm specializes in acquiring and developing telecommunications infrastructure assets.
EarthLink
Based in Atlanta, this company is a legacy internet service provider that has transitioned into offering managed network services.
Stephens Capital Partners
This private investment firm provides capital to companies in a variety of sectors, including telecommunications and technology.
The Pritzker Organisation
This private equity firm manages the interests of the Pritzker family and invests in diverse business ventures.
The details
The acquisition is backed by the EarthLink management team alongside investment firms Stephens Capital Partners and The Pritzker Organisation. The Atlanta-based company will now integrate its large-scale fibre network into the buyer's portfolio.
Timeline
October 20, 2026: The acquisition agreement was officially announced.
The Tech Race
The deal reflects the ongoing consolidation of regional ISP networks into large-scale national entities. This move mirrors broader industry efforts to centralize fibre broadband assets to better compete against national telecommunications giants.
Customers of EarthLink may see changes to service offerings or account management procedures as the transition progresses. The acquisition aims to leverage the existing 68 million-home network to potentially expand broadband availability.
The takeaway
The acquisition marks a significant transition for a long-standing player in the internet services market. Consumers should monitor company updates to understand if the change will affect their current service plans or connectivity speeds.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest infrastructure trends in the United States Data Centers section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Telecompaper.
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