**Editor’s Note: Please click


here


for a recap of the biggest channel-impacting mergers in Q4 2012.**

Birch Communications, Atlanta, has closed the acquisition of select customer and network assets from Covista Communications Inc., Chattanooga, Tenn, in a deal first announced in January. Financial details were not disclosed.

Founded in 1983, Covista Communications Inc. is a CLEC operating in 48 states, as well as an FCC 214 international facilities-based carrier. Its product portfolio extends from switched and dedicated telephone services to hosted IP PBX, wireless, data storage and business continuity/disaster recovery services.

This transaction marks the 17^th acquisition Birch has closed since 2006 as part of its transformation from a traditional CLEC to an IP telecom and managed services provider.

“This acquisition strengthens the breadth and scope of the Birch IP network,” said Birch President and CEO Vincent M. Oddo, explaining that the addition of Covista’s facilities and switching centers in Tennessee and New York expand Birch’s network in 10 states and add new markets.

Birch Communications now provides service to customers in 45 states and the District of Columbia.

Its services include local and long-distance voice, broadband Internet access, T1, PRI, bonded T1, PRI and DSL, SIP trunking, hosted PBX, wireless voice and data, hosted email and applications, voice mail, and other communications and cloud services.

“This acquisition greatly enhances our hosted PBX, SIP trunking and carrier services (wholesale) product offerings,” said Birch COO Chris Aversano.