CTC and Choice One together aim to be the largest CLEC in the U.S.

CTC Communications and Choice One Communications announced intentions to merge to create what they claim will be one of the largest CLECs in the U.S., and the largest privately held CLEC in the Northeast.

Post merger, the combined company is expected to generate over $550 million in annual revenue, and serve over 100,000 customers over 1,000,000 access lines. The companies’ combined network will consist of 7,000 route miles of fiber connecting 630 collocations.

Choice One, of Rochester, NY, offers various combinations of bundled voice and data services, along with Web hosting, design and development in 29 markets and 12 states in the Northeast and Midwest. CTC, headquartered in Waltham, MA., has been growing through acquisition – the carrier acquired Lightship Telecom in May 2005 and Connecticut Broadband in October 2005.

CTC provides VoIP services, and offers a range of voice, Internet and data services to businesses in 11 states throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, including the District of Columbia. CTC and Choice One networks overlap in seven states from Maine to Pennsylvania.

The name of the merged company has not yet been determined. It will continue to maintain a presence in both Rochester and Waltham, with senior executives in each location.

The deal is expected to close within the next 90 days. Financial terms were not disclosed.