DigitalBridge Group, Inc. (NYSE: DBRG), a prominent player in global digital infrastructure investment, has unveiled a significant development involving its portfolio company, Zayo. In a strategic move valued at approximately $4.25 billion, Zayo has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Crown Castle's Fiber Solutions business. This acquisition is poised to enhance Zayo's capacity to deliver high-performance connectivity solutions to its growing clientele, including businesses and service providers.

1. Expansion of Fiber Network

The acquisition will allow Zayo to broaden its network significantly, adding around 90,000 route miles of fiber. This expansion aims to elevate Zayo's overall reach to more than 70,000 on-net locations. By integrating Crown Castle's metro-focused fiber assets, Zayo will complement its existing long-haul network, thereby enhancing service offerings for various clients, including hyperscalers, data centers, enterprises, carriers, and even rural communities. The demand for cloud and AI-driven connectivity has surged in recent years, making this acquisition timely and strategic.

2. Insights from Leadership

Marc Ganzi, the Chief Executive Officer of DigitalBridge, expressed enthusiasm regarding the transaction. He stated, “As AI adoption accelerates, the need for scalable, high-capacity networks has never been greater. Crown Castle’s metro-focused fiber network is a valuable addition that will help Zayo expand its reach in key markets and better support the next generation of digital applications.”

Jonathan Friesel, Senior Managing Director and Head of Fiber at DigitalBridge, echoed this sentiment, noting that the transaction strengthens Zayo’s ability to meet the increasing demand for high-speed, low-latency fiber solutions. “With cloud and AI-driven workloads increasing, network reliability and scalability are more important than ever,” he remarked, emphasizing the acquisition's role in enhancing Zayo's capacity to support data-intensive applications.

3. Strategic Growth and Future Outlook

The integration of Crown Castle's fiber network will enable Zayo to bolster its coverage in major metropolitan areas, thereby delivering scalable and high-performance connectivity to its customers. This move aligns with Zayo's growth strategy and positions the company to better meet the bandwidth demands driven by the expanding realms of AI and cloud computing.

DigitalBridge, as a leading specialist investor in digital infrastructure, remains firmly committed to advancing next-generation networks. Collectively, DigitalBridge-backed platforms operate nearly 300,000 route miles of fiber across 550 markets worldwide, underscoring their significant presence in the digital infrastructure ecosystem.

The transaction is anticipated to close in the first half of 2026, contingent upon regulatory review and customary closing conditions.

4. About DigitalBridge Group

DigitalBridge (NYSE: DBRG) stands as a leading global alternative asset manager focused on digital infrastructure investments. With over 25 years of experience in the sector, the company manages $96 billion in infrastructure assets on behalf of its limited partners and shareholders.

5. About Zayo Group

Zayo has been a pivotal player in the connectivity landscape for over 17 years, providing tailored solutions that empower some of the world’s largest and most innovative companies. With a network that spans over 18.7 million fiber miles and connects 400 global markets, Zayo continues to position itself as a leader in delivering exceptional connectivity experiences.

This acquisition marks a significant milestone for both Zayo and DigitalBridge, as they continue to invest in and enhance the infrastructure required to support the digital economy's rapid growth.

Original press release