Telephone USA of Wisconsin: Corporate History and Ownership
The landscape of telecommunications is often shaped by large-scale acquisitions and strategic divestitures. One such entity, Telephone USA of Wisconsin, has a history marked by significant corporate transitions involving some of the industry's largest players.
Corporate Origins and Early Growth
Founded in 1999, the company quickly became a target for expansion during the telecommunications boom of the early 2000s. In 2000, CenturyTel acquired the company to expand its network footprint. This acquisition added 62,650 lines to CenturyTel's infrastructure at a total cost of $170 million.
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The Transition to Lumen and the Brightspeed Sale
Over time, the company became part of the CenturyLink operating structure, which later rebranded as Lumen. In recent years, Lumen began streamlining its portfolio by selling off local telephone assets across the United States.
On August 3, 2021, Lumen announced the sale of its local telephone assets in 20 states to Apollo Global Management. This transaction, which closed in October 2022, led to the launch of a new brand known as Brightspeed.
The Wisconsin Exception
While the majority of Lumen's operations in Wisconsin were included in the sale to Apollo Global Management, Telephone USA of Wisconsin was a notable exception. Unlike other regional assets, it was not part of the divestiture. Consequently, it remains one of the active CenturyLink operating companies.
Key Facts
- Founded: 1999
- CenturyTel Acquisition: Occurred in 2000 for $170 million
- Network Growth: Added 62,650 lines during the 2000 acquisition
- Current Status: Remains a CenturyLink operating company
- Divestiture Detail: Excluded from the 2021 sale to Apollo Global Management
| Year | Event | Key Entity Involved | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Company Foundation | Telephone USA of Wisconsin | Establishment of entity |
| 2000 | Acquisition | CenturyTel | $170 million purchase; 62,650 lines added |
| 2021-2022 | Asset Sale | Apollo Global Management | Launch of Brightspeed (excluding Telephone USA of Wisconsin) |
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Telephone USA of Wisconsin founded?
The company was founded in 1999.
How much did CenturyTel pay to acquire the company?
CenturyTel acquired the company in 2000 for $170 million, adding 62,650 lines to its network.
Did Telephone USA of Wisconsin become part of Brightspeed?
No. While Lumen sold local telephone assets in 20 states to Apollo Global Management to create Brightspeed, Telephone USA of Wisconsin was not included in those assets.
Who currently operates Telephone USA of Wisconsin?
It remains one of the CenturyLink operating companies.
What happened to other Lumen operations in Wisconsin?
Unlike Telephone USA of Wisconsin, the rest of Lumen's Wisconsin operations were sold to Apollo Global Management and transitioned to the Brightspeed brand in October 2022.