By Roger Cheng Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES NEW YORK -(Dow Jones)- Windstream Corp. (WIN) said Tuesday it agreed to acquire NuVox Inc. in a deal valued at $643 million, another illustration of the consolidation in the rural telecommunications industry. Since May, Windstream has scooped up three smaller rural telcos in deals with a combined value of more than $1.1 billion. For privately held NuVox, Windstream will pay $280 million in cash, issue $183 million in stock and assume $180 million in debt. The company plans to use its existing cash and tap its revolving credit line to fund the deal. Windstream and other rural telcos are scrambling to buy up each other to boost size and pass their sizeable capital expenditures across a wider base of customers and gain purchasing power when buying telco gear. The telcos continue to face pressure as cable providers poach customers with their own rival phone services, while other consumers cancel their lines to go solely with the cellphones. NuVox also brings a sizeable business presence for Windstream. "This transaction significantly advances our strategy to grow broadband and business revenues, which is important given the growth prospects in these areas," Windstream Chief Executive Jeff Gardner said in a statement. The deal, which is expected to close in the first half of next year, is expected to save $30 million in annual operating expenses and capital expenditures, the company said. It is expected to add free cash flow in the first full year of combined operation, as well as lower its dividend payout ratio. The boards of both companies have approved the deal. NuVox brings to the table operations in 16 states and roughly 90,000 business customers. Windstream operates in 16 states and boasts 3 million access lines. In May, Windstream entered into an agreement to buy D&E Communications Inc. (DECC) for $159 million in cash and stock, in addition to absorbing $171 million in debt. In September, the company agreed to buy Lexcom Inc. (LXCM) for $141 million in cash. Windstream shares were down 0.3% to $9.76 early Tuesday. -By Roger Cheng, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2153; roger.cheng@dowjones.com
