Zayo, a leading digital infrastructure provider, has been ranked #1 on the 2026 Channel Futures Managed Service Provider (MSP) 501, the definitive global list of top managed service providers. After climbing from #8 in 2023 to #7 in 2024 and #2 in 2025, Zayo’s ascent to the top spot reflects years of strategic investment in managed services and a steadfast commitment to helping enterprises, organizations, and channel partners and their customers navigate an increasingly complex technology landscape.
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“Achieving the #1 ranking on the MSP 501 is especially meaningful because it reflects a strategy we’ve been committed to for years,” said Max Clauson, SVP of Network Connectivity and Advanced & Managed Services at Zayo. “As enterprise environments have become more complex, customers need more than connectivity. They need a partner they can rely on to simplify and manage that complexity. That’s driven our continued investment in managed services alongside our core connectivity business, delivering a more complete, end-to-end enterprise solution that helps channel partners and customers navigate change with greater confidence, resilience, and agility. This recognition validates that commitment and motivates us to continue raising the bar.”
Through its direct sales organization and extensive channel ecosystem, Zayo delivers critical Managed Communications, Edge, Security, Connectivity, and Network services to more than 6,000 customers across 60 countries. Zayo’s rise to the top of the MSP 501 reflects a multi-year commitment to expanding its managed services capabilities in response to evolving customer needs. By investing in advanced automation, intelligent network operations, service innovation, and deep technical expertise, Zayo helps customers simplify operations, improve network performance, strengthen resiliency, and reduce the burden on internal IT teams. Combined with Zayo’s expansive Tier 1 network and infrastructure foundation, these capabilities enable organizations to gain greater visibility and control across their technology environments.
The recognition also underscores Zayo’s commitment to supporting its channel partners with differentiated solutions that address the challenges facing their customers today. By combining world-class infrastructure with comprehensive managed services, Zayo empowers partners to deliver scalable, secure, and future-ready solutions that help customers adapt to rapid technological change while creating new opportunities for growth.
For the past 19 years, the MSP 501 has stood apart from simple revenue rankings by demanding a comprehensive analysis of financial performance, operational efficiency, and business health—making it the gold standard for identifying the world’s best-run managed service providers. Unlike traditional lists that reward size alone, the MSP 501 recognizes organizations that demonstrate sustainable growth, recurring revenue strength, profit optimization, and the strategic discipline that defines true industry leadership.
“The 2026 MSP 501 winners represent the highest-performing and most innovative IT providers in the industry today. Everyone wants to be a 501 because they stand head and shoulders above the competition,” said Robert DeMarzo, Vice President of Content, Channel Events. “Today’s managed services organizations serve as the backbone to the world’s small, medium, and large organizations, and the MSP 501 sets the standard for all other MSPs. These managed service providers aren’t just keeping pace with the industry—they’re actively shaping the future of managed services. Making the MSP 501 list is a testament to their commitment to operational excellence, innovation, and their ability to deliver exceptional value to their clients in an increasingly complex technology landscape.”
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