Rightfiber will explore mergers and acquisitions to fuel growth

The proposed combination of Ritter Communications and Great Plains Communications isn't being pitched as a cost-cutting exercise. Rightfiber, the name of the proposed combo, aims to grow through fiber network expansions and opportunistic, fiber-focused acquisitions. That's according to Heath Simpson, the current CEO of Ritter and the exec who will lead Rightfiber as CEO. Todd Foje, Great Plains' CEO, will become executive chairman of Rightfiber. The transaction is expected to close in about 90 days. Grain Management, a private investment firm that owns both operators, said it will combine Jonesboro, Arkansas-based Ritter with Blair, Nebraska-based Great Plains Communications. The combined company will serve more than 400 communities in parts of 20 states and about 300,000 residential and business customers via a 28,000-route-mile fiber network. Simpson said the deal is the culmination of years of discussions between two companies that already have a solid familiarity with each other.