Birch Communications, a leading IP-based communications and cloud services provider to small- and medium-sized businesses, announced today that it closed the previously announced asset purchase agreement to acquire select customer and network assets from Lightyear Network Solutions, Inc. ("Lightyear"). This transaction marks the close of the 18^thacquisition for Birch.

"This acquisition strengthens the breadth and scope of the Birch IP-Network.  The addition of these assets, which are natural extensions to our current Birch products and services, greatly enhance our Hosted PBX, SIP trunking, VoIP-based services and Carrier Services (wholesale) product offerings," said Vincent M. Oddo, Birch president and CEO.  "In addition, the new Kentucky markets, now added to our network footprint, have expanded our growing Birch IP-Network to 11 states.  Birch now provides service to customers in all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Canada and Puerto Rico."

"We look forward with great enthusiasm to welcoming former Lightyear customers, employees and dealers into our Birch family and introducing them to our award-winning customer care team, as well as our expanding portfolio of IP-based services," said Chris Aversano, Birch chief operating officer. "We are also excited to introduce the former Lightyear customers to our expanded portfolio of leading-edge IP-based services. In the months and years to come, we plan to continue the expansion of our service footprint, and the scope of the products and services we offer to stay ahead of the needs of our business customers."