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New company provides high-speed internet, voice and data services to residential and business customers in 29 communities in Oregon and Washington.

Private equity firm ZRF Partners on April 22 announced the formation of Blue Mountain Networks to deploy fiber-optic networks in the northwest United States.

“Symmetrical fiber-optic connectivity is a must-have in today’s world,” commented Faisal Nisar, managing director of ZRF Partners. “Exponential growth in bandwidth consumption, connected devices and streaming applications continues to drive fiber demand. Blue Mountain Networks is well positioned to provide much-needed digital infrastructure in communities across Oregon, Washington and Idaho.”

Blue Mountain Networks combines the operations of Hood River, OR-based Gorge Networks with Hermiston-based Eastern Oregon Telecom to accelerate expansion of fiber technology to residential and small business customers.

“We are accelerating our fiber expansion to create ‘Gigabit Communities’ and enable our customers to fully participate in the ever-growing digital economy, work remotely, access telemedicine and earn an online education,” said Joe Franell, president of Eastern Oregon Telecom and Blue Mountain Networks.

The combined company so far provides high-speed internet, voice and data services to residential and business customers in 29 communities in Oregon and Washington.

“ZRF’s growth capital and industry expertise allows us to rapidly expand our fiber footprint and deliver a customer value and experience in small towns and rural communities that is better than most large cities,” said Dan Bubb, president of Gorge Networks.

Stephen Barraclough, former CEO of Burlington Telecom, a fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network in Burlington, VT, leads Blue Mountain Networks as executive chairman. Additionally, Gary Evans, founder and former CEO of Hiawatha Broadband Communications, a FTTH provider in Minnesota, has joined Blue Mountain Network’s board of directors.