$2 Billion T-Mobile Deal Brings Rochester’s Greenlight Networks Into National Fiber Expansion

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A roughly $2 billion deal is set to accelerate the growth of one of Rochester’s most recognizable tech companies, as Greenlight Networks becomes part of a major national broadband expansion strategy.

T-Mobile announced it will invest approximately $2 billion to acquire a 50% stake in a joint venture with Oak Hill Capital that combines Greenlight Networks with GoNetspeed, two of the largest independent fiber providers in the Northeast.

The combined platform is expected to reach more than 1.3 million households by the end of 2026, significantly expanding fiber internet access across key Northeastern markets, including New York.

The transaction positions Greenlight, founded and scaled in Rochester, at the center of T-Mobile’s broader push to build a hybrid broadband model that combines its national 5G network with high-speed fiber infrastructure.

“These partnerships are about expanding access to high-performance fiber for more customers,” said André Almeida, T-Mobile’s Chief Broadband Officer, in the announcement.

A Rochester-built company scales

Greenlight Networks launched in 2011 with a focused approach: bring fiber-to-the-home internet to neighborhoods overlooked by traditional providers. Its model relied heavily on community demand, often requiring neighborhoods to reach sign-up thresholds before construction began.

That approach helped the company grow methodically across Rochester, building a reputation for speed, reliability, and customer experience in a market long dominated by legacy cable providers.

Early backing from Rochester entrepreneur Tom Golisano, founder of Paychex, played a meaningful role in the company’s trajectory, providing both capital and credibility during its early expansion. Over time, Greenlight evolved from a local disruptor into a regional infrastructure player, eventually becoming part of Oak Hill Capital’s digital infrastructure portfolio.

Greenlight is led by CEO Mark Murphy, who has guided the company’s expansion from a Rochester-based startup into one of the Northeast’s largest independent fiber providers, positioning it for scaled growth through partnerships like this one.

What comes next

Now, with T-Mobile entering the picture, Greenlight is positioned to scale faster.

The joint venture structure pairs Greenlight’s network build capabilities with T-Mobile’s national brand, retail distribution, and customer acquisition engine. The companies will continue operating under a wholesale model, designed to efficiently expand fiber infrastructure while maintaining competitive pricing and service offerings.

For Rochester and similar mid-sized markets, the implications are tangible: more capital flowing into fiber deployment, faster expansion timelines, and increased competition in broadband, a category increasingly viewed as essential infrastructure.

A broader shift in connectivity

The deal also reflects a larger industry trend. As demand for data continues to rise, driven by streaming, remote work, and AI-powered applications, telecom providers are investing heavily in fiber to complement wireless networks.

T-Mobile, which has led growth in 5G home internet, is now scaling fiber through partnerships rather than building entirely from scratch. The company said it is targeting up to 4 million fiber customers by 2030 as part of a broader goal of reaching 18 to 19 million broadband subscribers.

A milestone moment for Rochester

For Rochester, Greenlight’s inclusion in a multi-billion-dollar national platform marks a milestone.

What began as a local solution to limited broadband choice has evolved into a company now shaping how connectivity is delivered across multiple states. It is a familiar pattern for the region: businesses built to solve local gaps gaining traction, attracting capital, and ultimately scaling beyond their original market.

As the next phase unfolds, Greenlight’s roots remain in Rochester, but its impact is increasingly national.

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