Zayo to Deliver Broadband to Rural Communities with Microsoft Airband

Rural ISPs to leverage Zayo’s existing infrastructure for core network connectivity

BOULDER, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Zayo Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: ZAYO) has signed an agreement with Microsoft Corp. to bring connectivity to underserved, rural communities across the United States as part of the Microsoft Airband Initiative. The initiative partners with Internet Service Providers (ISPs) working on broadband access solutions for rural unserved communities through a mix of technologies that includes TV white spaces (TVWS). As part of the agreement, Zayo will provide backbone fiber solutions via its existing network to ISPs to deliver high speed internet.

Zayo has deep, dense fiber networks in every major market in the U.S., which includes Tier 1, 2, 3 and 4 cities. In addition, Zayo’s long haul networks connect multiple markets, traversing rural areas in more than 30 states, either in place or under construction. This infrastructure fuels innovation for the world’s most impactful companies. Working with Microsoft’s Airband Initiative, Zayo will enable communications, collaboration and innovation to rural communities.

Through collaborations with ISPs and other companies and organizations, the Microsoft Airband Initiative aims to extend broadband access to at least 3 million people in unserved portions of rural America by July 2022. Despite advances in telecommunications technology over the past decade, 21 million Americans lack broadband access at threshold speeds according to the FCC.

“When underserved areas gain access to high-speed internet, everyone benefits,” said Brian Daniels, senior vice president of Strategic Networks at Zayo. “Broadband provides access to educational, employment and healthcare resources at the family level as well as facilitating economic development in the communities in which they live. Combining our large mobile infrastructure builds and our ever expanding K-12 education networks provides Zayo an unparalleled platform to support the Airband Initiative. We look forward to working together with Microsoft -- and with rural service providers -- on this innovative initiative to close the digital divide.”

For more information on the partnership, please visit www.zayo.com/microsoft-airband/.

About Zayo Group

Zayo Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: ZAYO) provides mission-critical bandwidth to the world’s most impactful companies, fueling the innovations that are transforming our society. Zayo’s 133,000-mile network in North America and Europe includes extensive metro connectivity to thousands of buildings and data centers. Zayo’s communications infrastructure solutions include dark fiber, private data networks, wavelengths, Ethernet, dedicated internet access and data center colocation services. Zayo owns and operates a Tier 1 IP backbone and 44 carrier-neutral data centers. Through its CloudLink service, Zayo provides low-latency private connectivity that attaches enterprises to their public cloud environments. Zayo serves wireless and wireline carriers, media, tech, content, finance, healthcare and other large enterprises. For more information, visit zayo.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains a number of forward-looking statements. Words, and variations of words such as “believe,” “expect,” “plan,” “continue,” “will,” “should,” and similar expressions are intended to identify our forward-looking statements. No assurance can be given that future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements will be achieved and actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. For additional information on these and other factors that could affect our forward-looking statements, see our risk factors, as they may be amended from time to time, set forth in our filings with the SEC, including our 10-K dated September 4, 2019. We disclaim and do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements in this press release, except as required by applicable law or regulation.