Our Story
Growing with Rural Pacific Northwest
In the late 1930s and early 1940s, loan funds from the USDA Rural Electrification Administration enabled construction of rural electric cooperatives throughout the nation to serve the people and growing economies of rural America.
Where We Began
We owe our start 16 years ago to these rural businesses and individuals that saw an unmet need for internet connectivity in the Pacific Northwest. We are proud to be the next generation, tackling some of their unfinished business. The way we communicate – in our homes or workplaces – is ever evolving. Many no longer have traditional telephone service at home and rely on mobile devices or tablets. We’ve seen our role grow in providing this critical functionality – from urban Portland, Oregon —to places both large and small. This means rural areas without any kind of commercial telecom infrastructure and hospitals, government entities or educational facilities that serve as the foundation of the community.
We have continued to grow ever since, providing top-tier broadband service to urban and rural communities alike. The core of our robust fiber optic network is laid over these electrical grid pathways. In a sense, we stand on the shoulders of pioneers, and we’re proud of our connection to those who pioneered before us.
Helping Communities Thrive
LS Networks operates the largest fiber-optic network in the Pacific Northwest, serving rural and underserved communities with high-speed connectivity and market-leading bandwidth that is transforming the regional telecommunications landscape for businesses. Our Mission is to provide rural communities with local service and fiber-based infrastructure that enables them to maintain and advance lifestyles that support family, growth, and sustainability. We strive to be the most trusted provider through our focus on quality, innovation, and investment in our communities.
The Northwest’s Carrier-Grade Network
LS Networks delivers essential digital reliability, quality and capacity to large and small commercial and individual customers to support business growth and sustainability. The Company’s carrier-grade network includes over 7,000 route miles of fiber and extended reach throughout the Pacific Northwest serving national and international carriers, ISPs, data centers, schools, governments, healthcare organizations and businesses.
LS Networks also provides Ethernet and dark fiber transport to towers, with existing connectivity to more than 500 on-net towers, with near-net proximity to an additional 800 towers throughout the region.
A New Chapter Begins
In April of 2021, we started a new chapter in our Company. LS Networks was acquired by Instar Asset Management Inc.
Instar Asset Management is an independent alternative asset management firm focused on North American middle-market opportunities in the infrastructure sector and other alternative real asset categories. Instar’s growing footprint spans North America with a diversified portfolio of companies that deliver essential infrastructure services and value to communities, partners and investors, helping us to fulfil our purpose of enriching people’s lives. Visit https://www.InstarInvest.com.
