[1st-mile-nm] Sacred Wind Acquisition

[Richard Lowenberg]

NM telecommunications firm announces acquisition

https://www.abqjournal.com/2519710/nm-telecommunications-firm-announces-acquisition.html

BY MATTHEW NARVAIZ / JOURNAL STAFF WRITER
PUBLISHED: WEDNESDAY, JULY 27TH, 2022

Sacred Wind Communications is set to be acquired by an out-of-state 
company looking to expand its infrastructure reach and broadband 
services in the southwestern United States.

Colorado-based Commnet Broadband acquired the New Mexico company in an 
announcement made on Wednesday. The acquisition cost wasn’t disclosed in 
the announcement and Sacred Wind CEO John Badal declined to comment on 
the purchase price, other than saying the deal included a “combo of cash 
and equity.”

The deal is expected to close as soon as regulatory approvals come over 
the next several months, including from the Federal Communications 
Commission.

“Together with Commnet Broadband, we can continue to grow and provide 
high-quality service to more customers in our region,” Badal said in a 
statement.

Sacred Wind, a telephone and internet company focusing on bridging the 
digital divide for tribal communities in New Mexico, will keep its name 
through the acquisition, Badal told the Journal. He said pricing will 
also remain the same for current customers.

There will also be no cuts to Sacred Wind’s staff of 60. Badal added 
there is a possibility that more employees may be added over time due to 
Sacred Wind’s heightened interest in extending its services to the 
Navajo Nation in Arizona.

Badal said the acquisition is more of a partnership between the firms — 
their holding company name is Alloy LLC — with Commnet offering Sacred 
Wind additional operational support for some of its current projects. 
Sacred Wind’s standing in the NM Fiber Network LLC, a coalition of phone 
and internet companies looking to improve broadband access in New 
Mexico, also won’t be affected, Badal said.

He added that the acquisition helps Sacred Wind with getting more 
federal grants.

Badal will stay on once the deal is finalized, changing his title from 
CEO to consultant between the combined companies and serving as a board 
member.

Commnet CEO Tom Guthrie called the acquisition a strong move for both 
companies going forward.

“Sacred Wind has an excellent reputation serving consumers and 
businesses in New Mexico through its fiber-based network,” he said 
“Together, we are stronger and can expand faster to serve more customers 
with affordable, reliable, high-speed broadband.”


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Richard Lowenberg, Executive Director
1st-Mile Institute     505-603-5200
Box 8001, Santa Fe, NM 87504,
rl at 1st-mile.org     www.1st-mile.org
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