In light of Sprint’s Next Generation Network Initiative, we’ve been talking about the carrier more than usual as of late.
Sprint’s forward-looking goals aren’t likely to be embraced by tower companies, whose livelihoods depend on cell tower leases with wireless carriers. After rumors about Sprint’s intentions surfaced, share prices for American Tower, Crown Castle, and SBA Communications fell, and there has been concern from tower companies and leaseholders alike about what effect these changes may have on their bottom lines.
This month, developments in the Sprint saga continued to unfold. To address issues of limited funds and maturing debt, the carrier and parent company SoftBank announced that they had entered into a network leaseback deal with “several bankruptcy remote entities” (Network LeaseCo, a new entity backed by SoftBank and other investors). The deal is expected to provide Sprint with $2.2 billion in funding and involves Network LeaseCo acquiring certain existing network assets and then leasing them back to Sprint. The assets will be used as collateral to raise the $2.2 billion in borrowings from external investors with plans to repay the cash proceeds in “staggered, unequal payments through January 2018.”
From the perspective of an individual property owner, this news may sound like distant high-level corporate stuff. But cell tower leaseholders who were nervous about the dissolution of their leases in the wake of the Next Generation Network Initiative may find it to be a welcome update. Sprint is not, in fact, abandoning cell towers in favor of new technology. Its financial viability is tied to the assets involved in this deal—primarily equipment located at cell towers. However, the lesson remains: there are no guarantees when it comes to how these developments will affect you personally. Sprint still plans to relocate, where appropriate, to cheaper government-owned sites. It still plans to dramatically increase its reliance on small cells. These factors may or may not have an impact on your specific circumstances.
To get the information necessary to effectively weigh the odds and your options, you’re wise to seek professional advice from cell tower lease experts. The Filo Group has a wealth of experience in the wireless industry as well as uniquely deep knowledge in the area of cell tower lease valuation and buyouts, both of which could be invaluable to you. Contact us today to ensure that your financial future is protected despite changes in the wireless industry.