Consolidated Communications Becomes Fidium, Uniting All Services Under One Bold Identity

CONROE, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 22, 2025--

Consolidated Communications today announces the next step in its transformation: uniting its residential, business and wholesale lines of business under a single, modern fiber internet and network services brand – Fidium. Fidium now represents all the company’s fiber-based solutions nationwide, and more than 75 percent of its broadband customers. The company is on track to reach more than 80 percent of its footprint with fiber within the next few years.

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Since the Fidium brand launched in 2021, it has grown rapidly and earned one of the industry’s highest Net Promoter Scores by redefining home and small business internet service with fiber-optic speed, reliability and simplicity. That same commitment now extends to enterprise, government, education and wholesale customers.

Fidium now represents all lines of business formerly branded as Consolidated Communications:

“For commercial and wholesale customers, Fidium means enterprise-level networks, carrier-grade infrastructure, and solutions designed to grow with them,” said Dan Stoll, president of commercial and carrier business, Fidium. “By unifying under one fiber-focused brand, we can scale faster, expand our capabilities and network more seamlessly, while continuing to deliver the secure, reliable connectivity organizations need to compete and succeed.”

The company has invested approximately $1.7 billion in fiber infrastructure since 2020, expanding its footprint to more than 700 communities and earning recognition as one of the nation’s top 10 fiber networks by route miles. Tim Austin, partner at Searchlight Capital, commented: “Fidium Fiber has experienced robust growth across its business lines and is well-positioned to build on this momentum and continue to expand its fiber-based services across its footprint. The successful closing of its inaugural ABS financing, which exceeded $1 billion, will help fuel the company’s expansion as it gains substantial market share in the fiber sector. We are excited to continue supporting the company in this next phase as Fidium delivers world-class service to an ever-growing customer base.”

Today’s brand announcement comes as the organization prepares for a planned leadership transition. The company recently announced that President and CEO Bob Udell will retire at the end of 2025 and join the Board of Directors as Vice Chairman, with Chief Operating Officer Gaurav Juneja set to become CEO at the start of 2026.

“Leading this company through its transformation from a legacy telecom provider to one of the nation’s fastest-growing fiber businesses has been the honor of my career,” said Bob Udell, president and CEO, Fidium. “Our residential and small business success has shown what’s possible when you combine world-class fiber internet with a customer-first mindset. Expanding Fidium across every customer group allows the organization to carry that same promise to businesses, institutions and communities nationwide.”

The brand expansion also debuts Fidium’s new tagline, “Fiber Up. ”

“As we enter this next chapter, I’m committed to building on our momentum by delivering an exceptional customer experience, driving innovation that sets us apart, and leading this talented team,” said Gaurav Juneja, chief operating officer and incoming CEO, Fidium. “The Fidium brand unites our work as we are standardizing the network to fiber , digitizing the customer experience and energizing our employees. We're investing in providing access, connectivity and opportunity to hundreds of communities. That's why 'Fiber Up' is more than a tagline - it's a call to action for people, businesses and communities to grow, innovate and prosper together.”

The Fidium brand will roll out across communications, marketing, support materials and customer invoices over the next several months. Customers can expect the same reliable service and support they trust today. For more information, visit FidiumFiber.com/Future.

About Fidium

Fidium is a next-generation fiber internet and network services company on a mission to be America’s favorite fiber provider. Serving people who expect more from their connectivity, Fidium delivers lightning-fast, reliable internet that’s refreshingly easy to use. With future-ready technology, a customer-first approach, and a growing national fiber footprint, Fidium is redefining what “better internet” means: fast speeds, simpler experiences, and service that’s actually helpful.

Available in more than 700 communities, Fidium connects people to the possibilities of fiber – from homes and small businesses to large enterprises, schools, hospitals and entire communities. Backed by one of the nation’s top 10 fiber networks and a commitment to continuous innovation, we’re powering work, life, learning and opportunity. Fiber Up and learn more at FidiumFiber.com.

Bob Udell, CEO

Dan Stoll, president of commercial and carrier business

Gaurav Juneja, chief operating officer and incoming CEO

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump signed a New Year's Eve proclamation delaying increased tariffs on upholstered furniture, kitchen cabinets and vanities for a year, citing ongoing trade talks.

Trump's order signed Wednesday keeps in place a 25% tariff he imposed in September on those goods, but delays for another year a 30% tariff on upholstered furniture and 50% tariff on kitchen cabinets and vanities.

The increases, which were set to take effect Jan. 1, come as the Republican president instituted a broad swath of taxes on imported goods to address trade imbalances and other issues.

The president has said the tariffs on furniture are needed to “bolster American industry and protect national security.”

The delay is the latest in the roller coaster of Trump's tariffs wars since he returned to office last year, with the president announcing levies at times without warning and then delaying or pulling back from them just as abruptly.

The Trump administration on Wednesday also signaled it may back away from a steep tariff proposed on Italian pasta that would have put the rate at 107%. The U.S. had threatened to add a heavy tariff on Italian pasta makers after the U.S. Commerce Department launched what it said was a routine antidumping review based on allegations that the pasta makers sold product into the US at below-market prices and undercut local competitors.

A final decision on the sanctions was scheduled for Jan. 2, with the option of extending it.

The Commerce Department said Wednesday that based on a new review, the rates would be lowered to between 2.26% and 13.89% for the pasta makers because they had addressed many of the department's concerns. A final decision is now set for March 12.

Italian farm lobby Coldiretti and another food industry association, Filiera Italia, welcomed the development. The two lobby groups had strongly objected to the original tariffs and urged the Italian government to intervene.

The two associations said the original proposed tariffs would have doubled the cost of a plate of pasta for American families, “opening the door to Italian-sounding products and penalizing the authentic quality of Made in Italy.”

They reported that in 2024, Italian pasta exports to the U.S. amounted to €671 million ($787 million.)

“Coldiretti and Filiera Italia will continue to defend our premium pasta exported to the U.S. market, which we have also supported with a strong campaign in the international media,” the associations said in a statement.

Associated Press writer Nicole Winfield in Rome contributed to this report.

President Donald Trump speaks at a New Year's Eve celebration at his Mar-a-Lago club, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)