6. Windstream Acquires Broadview Networks

Purchase Price: $227.5 million

Windstream executives told CRN that its $227.5 million acquisition of Broadview Networks will enable the company to grab share from competitors including Vonage, RingCentral and 8x8. The Little Rock, Ark.-based telecom provider expects the acquisition to generate $30 million annually in operating synergies within two years.

"Broadview’s unique, proprietary unified communications solutions will advance our product portfolio, improving our competitiveness and ability to provide enhanced services to business customers. The transaction also will enable us to leverage Broadview’s experienced sales force and cloud operations across our national footprint,” said Tony Thomas, president and CEO of Windstream.

Rye Brook, N.Y.-based Broadview specializes in cloud-based unified communications solutions targeting the SMB market with its flagship suite of services, OfficeSuite UC.