Towerstream expands into Seattle

Broadband wireless access provider Towerstream today said it has expanded into Seattle through the acquisition of broadband ISP Speakeasy’s wireless assets. Seattle is the first market Towerstream has entered through acquisition--all of its previous markets were built out through acquiring roof rights and deploying its own fixed wireless infrastructure.

With Seattle turned up, Towerstream has service in seven major markets: New York, Los Angeles, Boston, San Francisco, Chicago and Providence, R.I., being the other six. The Speakeasy deal gives it five points of presence in the downtown Seattle area, including a base station atop the Space Needle, Seattle’s tallest building.

Speakeasy originally built its network using Alvarion’s BreezeAccess point-to-multipoint gear, which fits with Towerstreams own network footprint. It uses BreezeAccess equipment in several of its markets as well as competitor Aperto’s gear.