Covista Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: CVST), a provider of bundled telecommunication services for residential and small business customers, today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell selected commercial customers, switches and related facilities to PAETEC Communications, Inc., a Fairport, New York based competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC).
Covista is based in Chattanooga with main offices at the Maclellan Building.
The transaction is expected to close during the second quarter of 2004 and is subject to, among other conditions, obtaining the final necessary regulatory approvals.
On closing, PAETEC shall be obligated to pay approximately $15.1 million in cash, subject to final adjustment, based on a multiple of monthly operating revenue of approximately $2.7 million associated with the selected customers, assets and facilities. Payment is due in three installments with the majority payable upon closing.
In addition, PAETEC will assume leases for existing switch facilities in New York and Philadelphia, as well as office locations in Bensalem, PA and Paramus, NJ. Covista will also execute a Wholesale Service Agreement to purchase $12 million of services from PAETEC over 24 months.
John Leach, Chief Executive Officer of Covista stated, "The funds from this transaction will allow Covista to accelerate the expansion of our residential bundled service offerings.
"For the balance of 2004, we plan to build on the momentum we have created by extending our local service footprint to additional markets in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions as well as certain states in the Southeast. This transaction also improves our efficiency by allowing us to consolidate all of our key operations into Chattanooga.
"Additionally, we will refine our roll-out strategy related to certain new technologies, including VOIP, in order to better serve the demands of our customer base."
Brad Bono, Chief Operating Officer for PAETEC stated "Our integration team is moving quickly to bring together the best from both companies in terms of people, processes and technology. We remain confident that through these efforts we will be able to achieve our goals."
About Covista:
Covista is a facilities-based provider of telecommunications services with a substantial customer base, principally residential and small to medium sized businesses. Its products and services include a broad range of voice, data and Internet solutions, including long distance and toll-free services, local dial tone and features, calling cards, frame relay, Internet access, VPN, directory assistance and teleconferencing services. Covista currently owns and operates switches in Chattanooga, Dallas and Minneapolis, as well as in New York City and Philadelphia which are to be sold to PAETEC. Covista operates Network Operation; call center and information technology facilities in Chattanooga to monitor its switched network and to coordinate its various services