New technologies and services are required, as the world becomes increasingly connected. Corporate and consumer demand for a richer communication experience require new enabling technologies and services throughout the communications ecosystem, including seamless always-on broadband connectivity, converged data and voice devices and richer features and applications. Summit Partners has a long history of partnering with category-defining communication companies at every layer of the network.
Since 1984, Summit Partners made growth equity and credit investments in more than 60 communications technology and services companies. With more than 40 public offerings and strategic mergers in the communications technology and services industry, Summit has a proven track record of helping companies to create value for management and shareholders.
Here are some examples:
- Summit supported E-TEK Dynamics Inc.’s move into wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) technology and its plan to build low-cost manufacturing facilities in Asia. In addition, Summit assisted management with initial and follow-on public offerings, plus two strategic acquisitions.
- Working with NetCom Systems Inc., Summit helped build a board of technology industry veterans who assisted in fine-tuning marketing and business strategies. Subsequently, NetCom expanded its global customer base to equipment developers, manufacturers, service providers and major end users for equipment evaluation and selection.
- Summit assisted Commnet Wireless LLC in its build-out of a GSM (global system for mobile communications) network. This enabled the company to accelerate its growth rate and penetrate new markets, while assisting management in exiting less profitable, noncore markets.
- By providing board-level guidance to Jamba! AG, Summit improved the company’s systems and controls, and helped expand its geographic reach from within Germany to across Europe. As a result, its subscriber base increased from several hundred thousand to several million customers, making Jamba! the world’s second-largest subscription-based mobile community.
To learn more about our investments in the communications technology and services industry, please view our portfolio.