Adtran and Adva, two broadband equipment suppliers hailing from opposite sides of the North Atlantic Ocean, are merging to create a fiber-focused network powerhouse. In a deal directly influenced by pandemic Internet usage trends, it will bring German firm Adva within touching distance of unicorn status at an equity valuation of $934m, in a union with US-based Adtran that creates annual cost synergies of $52m. It promises an “unprecedented investment cycle in fiber connectivity” across the US and European markets, where the two companies can more effectively – as one giant unit – better apply pressure on regulators and policymakers. Driven by demand for last-mile fiber access and middle-mile transport, the respective product portfolios are thought to be highly complementary.…