Consolidated Communications Announces Definitive Agreement to Sell its Ohio Assets

Rhea-AI Summary

Consolidated Communications (NASDAQ: CNSL) has announced an agreement to sell its Ohio assets to Middle Point Home Telephone Company. This divestiture aligns with Consolidated's strategic focus on core broadband regions. The Ohio operations generated approximately $9 million in revenue in fiscal 2020 and include around 4,000 access lines and 3,900 Internet connections. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals, anticipated to be completed by year-end, with further details to be provided during the Q3 2021 earnings call.

Positive

• Divestiture aligns with strategic focus on core broadband regions.
• Ohio operations generated approximately $9 million in revenue in fiscal 2020.

Negative

• Asset sale could lead to revenue loss in the short term.
• Regulatory approvals for the sale may introduce uncertainty.

MATTOON, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: CNSL) (“Company”) has entered into an agreement to sell its Ohio assets to Middle Point Home Telephone Company (MPH), an affiliate of Hanson Communications, Inc. The asset sale aligns with the Company’s strategic asset review and focus on its core broadband regions.

Consolidated’s Ohio operations contributed approximately $9 million of revenue in fiscal 2020 and includes approximately 4,000 access lines and 3,900 Internet connections. The closing on this agreement is subject to customary regulatory approvals, which are expected to be completed by the end of the year. The Company will provide more information on this divestiture during its third quarter 2021 earnings call.

“Our family is very excited to enter into this agreement and expand our Ohio service area,” said Bruce Hanson, treasurer and owner of family-owned Hanson Communications. “We look forward to serving these customers and expect a seamless transition upon closing.”

About Consolidated Communications

Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: CNSL) is dedicated to moving people, businesses and communities forward by delivering the latest reliable communications solutions. Consumers, businesses and wireless and wireline carriers depend on Consolidated for a wide range of high-speed internet, data, phone, security, cloud and wholesale carrier solutions. With a network spanning nearly 50,000 fiber route miles, Consolidated is a top 10 U.S. fiber provider, turning technology into solutions that are backed by exceptional customer support. Learn more at consolidated.com. Connect with us on social media.

About Hanson Communications

Hanson Communications, Inc. is a family-owned telecommunications business, founded in 1951. Hanson has over 10,000 access lines, 15,000 Internet connections and 5,500 TV connections.

Safe Harbor

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements reflect, among other things, our current expectations, plans, strategies, and anticipated financial results. There are a number of risks, uncertainties, and conditions that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include a number of factors related to our business, including the uncertainties relating to the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on the Company’s business, results of operations, cash flows, stock price and employees; the possibility that any of the anticipated benefits of the strategic investment from Searchlight or our refinancing of outstanding debt, including our senior secured credit facilities, will not be realized; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against the Company or its directors; the ability to obtain regulatory approvals and meet other closing conditions to the investment on a timely basis or at all, including the risk that regulatory approvals required for the investment are not obtained subject to conditions that are not anticipated or that could adversely affect the Company or the expected benefits of the investment; the anticipated use of proceeds of the strategic investment; economic and financial market conditions generally and economic conditions in our service areas; various risks to the price and volatility of our common stock; changes in the valuation of pension plan assets; the substantial amount of debt and our ability to repay or refinance it or incur additional debt in the future; our need for a significant amount of cash to service and repay the debt restrictions contained in our debt agreements that limit the discretion of management in operating the business; regulatory changes, including changes to subsidies, rapid development and introduction of new technologies and intense competition in the telecommunications industry; risks associated with our possible pursuit of acquisitions; system failures; cyber-attacks, information or security breaches or technology failure of ours or of a third party; losses of large customers or government contracts; risks associated with the rights-of-way for the network; disruptions in the relationship with third party vendors; losses of key management personnel and the inability to attract and retain highly qualified management and personnel in the future; changes in the extensive governmental legislation and regulations governing telecommunications providers and the provision of telecommunications services; new or changing tax laws or regulations; telecommunications carriers disputing and/or avoiding their obligations to pay network access charges for use of our network; high costs of regulatory compliance; the competitive impact of legislation and regulatory changes in the telecommunications industry; and liability and compliance costs regarding environmental regulations; and risks associated with discontinuing paying dividends on our common stock. A detailed discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from such forward-looking statements are discussed in more detail in our filings with the SEC, including our reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q. Many of these circumstances are beyond our ability to control or predict. Moreover, forward-looking statements necessarily involve assumptions on our part. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “should,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue” or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements of the Company and its subsidiaries to be different from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements that appear throughout this press release. Furthermore, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Except as required under the federal securities laws or the rules and regulations of the SEC, we disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210924005515/en/

Jennifer Spaude, Consolidated Communications

Phone: 507-386-3765

Jennifer.spaude@consolidated.com

Nicole Elton, Consolidated Communications

Phone: 510-316-1430

Nicole.elton@consolidated.com

Source: Consolidated Communications

FAQ

What assets is Consolidated Communications selling?

Consolidated Communications is selling its Ohio assets to Middle Point Home Telephone Company.

How much revenue did Ohio operations generate for Consolidated Communications?

The Ohio operations generated approximately $9 million in revenue in fiscal 2020.

What is the expected timeline for the asset sale closure?

The closing of the asset sale is subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

What will happen to customers after the sale of Ohio assets?

Bruce Hanson, treasurer of Hanson Communications, stated that they expect a seamless transition for customers after the acquisition.

When will Consolidated Communications provide more information on the sale?

More information on the divestiture will be provided during the third quarter 2021 earnings call.