SoftBank, via Duncan Holdco LLC, acquires rural ISP WideOpenWest in the United States

Type: Acquisition · Technology: Telecom · Country: United States · Announced: 2026-07-29

SoftBank, through its private holding company Duncan Holdco LLC, has acquired the rural U.S. ISP WideOpenWest (WOW!) from its owners DigitalBridge and Crestview Partners. WideOpenWest serves approximately 465,000 broadband customers across 20 Midwestern and Southern markets, including new all‑fiber networks in Central Florida, Hernando County, and Greenville County, South Carolina. The acquisition was approved by the FCC on July 29, 2026, making WOW! one of the first U.S. broadband providers under majority Japanese ownership. The deal expands SoftBank’s footprint in the U.S. telecom sector and aligns with its broader $4 billion purchase of digital‑infrastructure investor Digital Bridge, strengthening its data‑center and connectivity portfolio. The transaction does not disclose a purchase price, and the FCC found no special circumstances requiring further investigation.

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