GCI has acquired Freedom Communications, a Microsoft Skype for Business and unified communications specialist. Financial terms were not disclosed. This is GCI's fifth MSP- and cloud-oriented acquisition in less than a year.
GCI is a fast-growing managed services provider (MSP) in the United Kingdom. The company's focus areas include unified communications, cloud, compliance, security an network services.
In contrast, Freedom positions itself as a ‘Unified Communications System Integrator’ that supports commercial, public and local governments' mission critical communications infrastructures. The company has nearly 30 years experience in data networking, communications, network services and end-to-end support.
Going forward, GCI is betting on four strategic markets, according to CEO Adrian Thirkill:
- Unified Communications;
- Cloud Services;
- Security & Compliance, and
- Infrastructure & Networking
Skype for Business Partner
Freedom Communications manages roughly 40,000 Skype for Business seats for customers, lifting GCI's overall Skype for Business footprint to more than 180,000 seats.
"This quietly elevates GCI to the top tier of UK service providers capable of delivering and supporting Microsoft Skype and Cloud PBX at scale – and across multiple sectors," the company said.
There are also signs that GCI plans to accelerate its Microsoft Azure business practices.
United Kingdom: UK Mergers, Acquisitions & Brexit
Amid Britain's decision to exit the European Union (i.e., Brexit), some pundits worried the UK managed IT services market would suffer a slowdown. Others worried M&A activity would slow down.
But so far, the MSP market and associated M&A activity have remained strong. Among the recent M&A deals: Ensono acquired Attenda. The deal combines a Chicago-based IT services provider with a UK-based MSP.
Complete M&A Coverage: Track all VAR, MSP and CSP mergers and acquisitions by visiting the ChannelE2E Milestones section daily.
