October 2023

Shenandoah Telecommunications Company (Shentel) announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 100 percent of the equity interests in Horizon Telecom for $385 million. Consideration will consist of $305 million in cash and $80 million of Shentel common stock. Horizon is a leading commercial fiber provider in Ohio and adjacent states serving national wireless providers, carriers, enterprises, and government, education and healthcare customers.

T-Mobile released its third-quarter earnings for 2023. The company reported postpaid net account additions of 386,000 and postpaid net customer additions of 1.2 million, a decrease of 401,000 year-over-year. The company's postpaid phone net customer additions totaled 850,000. T-Mobile saw 557,000 high-speed internet customer additions, a decrease of 21,000 year-over-year. Total net customer additions were listed as 1.3 million, which decreased by 427,000 year-over-year. The total customer count increased to a company-record high of 117.9 million.

The Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) awarded a total of $12 million through the Cell Towers Grant Program for 29 projects. Grant awards will be used to construct new towers that provide quality cellular service and greater 911 connectivity to high-cost areas. The program, funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), is focused on investing in the expansion of cellular service statewide.