Comcast Business deepens NaaS push with acquisition of Nitel to scale enterprise cybersecurity and cloud services

Comcast Business has officially completed its acquisition of Nitel, a Chicago-based managed services provider, in a move aimed at transforming its enterprise offerings in network infrastructure, cybersecurity, and cloud-based services. The deal, which involves the divestment of Nitel from its former private equity owner Cinven, allows Comcast Business to deepen its commitment to delivering secure, flexible enterprise connectivity solutions at scale.

While financial terms were not disclosed, the strategic intent is clear: Comcast Business is positioning itself as a leading provider of integrated enterprise connectivity solutions, especially for mid-market organisations navigating digital transformation. With Nitel managed services now under its wing, Comcast Business is targeting the fast-growing network-as-a-service (NaaS) segment—one where demand for secure, cloud-integrated networks is surging.

The acquisition is a significant milestone in Comcast Business’ evolution from a connectivity-focused operation to a full-spectrum technology services provider. As remote work, hybrid cloud, and zero-trust security frameworks become central to enterprise IT, the acquisition strengthens Comcast Business’ ability to deliver customisable, secure, and scalable platforms for clients in sectors such as healthcare, education, and financial services.

What is Nitel’s role in the managed services landscape?

Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Chicago, Nitel has carved out a specialised niche in delivering managed network services for enterprises across the United States. The company is known for its customer-first approach and flexible solutions in high-performance networking, secure cloud access, and cybersecurity. Its core offerings include secure SD-WAN, cloud interconnects, and network security, designed to support organisations with complex compliance and operational requirements.

At the time of acquisition, Nitel was serving over 6,600 enterprise clients, many of which operate in highly regulated industries. Its customer base reflects the growing need for agile, secure networking frameworks that can evolve alongside business demands. Nitel’s platform has proven particularly attractive to mid-sized enterprises, which often lack the in-house resources to build and manage expansive digital infrastructure.

Through the Comcast Business acquisition, these organisations are expected to gain access to an even broader suite of services—combining the reach and resources of Comcast with Nitel’s tailored solutions. This creates a pathway for Comcast Business to become a top-tier player in a segment increasingly dominated by cloud-centric, security-first strategies.

How does this acquisition enhance Comcast Business’ enterprise strategy?

Edward Zimmermann, President of Comcast Business, described the Nitel acquisition as a critical enabler for delivering more robust connectivity, cybersecurity, and cloud solutions. In internal communications and public remarks, Zimmermann emphasised that integrating Nitel’s technology and team would allow Comcast Business to expand both its product portfolio and channel distribution strategy—particularly targeting mid-sized and large enterprise customers.

The timing of the deal reflects broader industry shifts. As organisations invest in digital transformation post-pandemic, there’s growing demand for end-to-end managed services that combine reliability, performance, and security. This shift has elevated NaaS providers into critical infrastructure partners, especially in markets where IT complexity and remote operations are expanding in tandem.

With the Comcast Business acquisition, the company gains deeper expertise in managed SD-WAN, cloud onramps, and embedded security—key components of the enterprise digital stack. Nitel’s services are designed for flexibility, enabling clients to scale bandwidth, security controls, and access policies as needed, which aligns with Comcast’s goal of offering dynamic and adaptive enterprise networking capabilities.

What does the deal mean for Nitel’s clients and team?

Margi Shaw, Nitel’s Chief Executive Officer, has signalled strong support for the acquisition, describing it as the beginning of a new chapter for Nitel’s clients and employees. Shaw suggested the transaction would allow Nitel to accelerate innovation, scale service delivery, and leverage Comcast’s national footprint to bring advanced solutions to more enterprises.

Nitel’s focus on secure network infrastructure and customer-specific configurations remains a key strength in the merger. While Comcast Business brings national scale and deep resources, Nitel contributes agility, technical specialisation, and a long-standing reputation for high-touch service. Analysts suggest that retaining Nitel’s core team and operational model will be essential to maintaining service continuity and deepening client trust during the integration phase.

Industry watchers note that many mid-market enterprises choose Nitel for its ability to design bespoke networking environments—something larger telecoms have historically struggled to do at scale. As Comcast integrates Nitel’s systems and staff, maintaining this balance between scale and customisation will likely be a focus.

How does this align with broader market trends in NaaS and cybersecurity?

The Nitel acquisition comes at a time when the network-as-a-service model is reshaping enterprise IT. According to Gartner, more than 40% of enterprise networking spend is expected to shift to NaaS by 2026. Organisations are increasingly looking for managed services providers that can deliver connectivity and security in a single, flexible offering, rather than maintaining disparate vendors and solutions.

Comcast Business’ move reflects an industry-wide realignment toward integrated platforms that encompass SD-WAN, SASE (secure access service edge), zero-trust frameworks, and multi-cloud connectivity. In this context, acquiring a provider like Nitel is not just additive—it is foundational.

Cybersecurity, in particular, has become a non-negotiable for enterprise IT teams, with regulatory pressures mounting across industries. By incorporating Nitel’s cloud-native security solutions, Comcast Business can now offer secure, policy-driven access controls and threat detection as part of its core enterprise connectivity solutions.

With clients demanding more seamless, all-in-one offerings, Comcast’s expanded suite positions it to compete more directly with firms like AT&T Business, Lumen Technologies, and Verizon Business, all of which have been aggressively growing their secure networking portfolios.

What is the private equity angle and how might Comcast benefit from Cinven’s exit?

The exit of private equity firm Cinven from Nitel through this deal marks the end of an investment cycle that focused on scaling Nitel’s managed services platform and growing its enterprise base. Cinven had supported Nitel in modernising its offerings and expanding its reach, particularly in high-demand verticals. While the financial details were not disclosed, the firm’s decision to sell aligns with broader trends of private equity investors capitalising on strong strategic fits in the tech and infrastructure space.

Cinven’s Senior Principal Daniel Garin noted that Comcast Business represents a strong long-term home for Nitel and its customers, citing Comcast’s innovation-led approach and national scale. From Comcast’s perspective, the exit allows for full ownership of Nitel without co-investment complexities, streamlining operational integration and future strategy execution.

The deal also underscores how private equity can act as a bridge between early-stage growth and long-term strategic acquisition, particularly in industries undergoing rapid change. For Comcast Business, the transaction represents an opportunity to acquire a mature, enterprise-ready platform without the early-stage risk that often accompanies infrastructure startups.