FirstLight has announced that it is the Capacity Media Global Carrier Award recipient for “Best Americas Project” in 2017. The award recognizes FirstLight’s 2017 acquisitions of Oxford Networks and Sovernet Communications, and the subsequent rebranding of all companies to “FirstLight.”

“We are honored to earn the distinction of the “Best Project” award for the Americas, and consider this award a testament to our team’s hard work over the past year regarding the successful acquisition and integration of several companies,” commented Kurt Van Wagenen, president and CEO, FirstLight. “Our project was the logical next step in FirstLight’s substantial growth during 2017, which expanded our reach into new parts of the Northeast U.S. This project was an integral step in ensuring that we are one team, one company with a singular focus of providing outstanding service and support to our customers.”

In 2017, FirstLight successfully completed the acquisitions of Oxford Networks, Sovernet Communications, Finger Lake Technologies Group, and 186 Communications. Through these strategic transactions and organic growth, FirstLight’s network now spans 14,000-route miles of fiber in six states, connecting nearly 8,000 locations and twelve data centers with more than 225,000 sq ft of space.

"Congratulations to FirstLight and all the esteemed nominees and to the very worthy winners of our 13th Global Carrier Awards," stated Rosalind Irving, CEO, Capacity Media.

Over the past 13 years, the Global Carrier Awards has become the biggest and most prestigious awards event in the carrier community. With a record number of over 225 entries submitted for this year's awards, all categories were judged by an independent panel of telecoms analysts, industry experts and the senior editorial team of Capacity Media.

For more information regarding the Global Carrier Awards 2017 including the full list of winners, please visit www.capacitymedia.com/Global-Carrier-Awards.