UScellular announces sale of select spectrum assets to AT&T for $1.018 billion
UScellular has announced an agreement to sell select spectrum assets to AT&T for $1.018 billion. The deal involves 1,250 million MHz-Pops of 3.45 GHz and 331 million MHz-Pops of 700 MHz B/C block licenses. This transaction is part of UScellular's strategy to monetize spectrum not included in the T-Mobile sale. Following this and previously announced transactions, UScellular will have agreements to monetize about 70% of its total spectrum holdings, representing approximately $2.02 billion in total consideration. The company will retain 1.86 billion MHz-Pops of low and mid-band spectrum, plus 17.2 billion MHz-Pops of mmWave spectrum.
UScellular ha annunciato un accordo per vendere alcuni beni di spettro a AT&T per 1,018 miliardi di dollari. L'accordo prevede 1.250 milioni di MHz-Pops a 3,45 GHz e 331 milioni di MHz-Pops di licenze del blocco B/C a 700 MHz. Questa transazione fa parte della strategia di UScellular per monetizzare lo spettro non incluso nella vendita a T-Mobile. A seguito di questa e di altre transazioni precedentemente annunciate, UScellular avrà accordi per monetizzare circa il 70% delle sue totale infrastrutture di spettro, rappresentando circa 2,02 miliardi di dollari in totale. L'azienda tratterrà 1,86 miliardi di MHz-Pops di spettro a bassa e media banda, oltre a 17,2 miliardi di MHz-Pops di spettro mmWave.
UScellular ha anunciado un acuerdo para vender activos de espectro selectos a AT&T por 1.018 mil millones de dólares. El acuerdo involucra 1.250 millones de MHz-Pops de 3.45 GHz y 331 millones de MHz-Pops de licencias de bloques B/C de 700 MHz. Esta transacción forma parte de la estrategia de UScellular para monetizar espectro no incluido en la venta a T-Mobile. Después de esta y las transacciones previamente anunciadas, UScellular tendrá acuerdos para monetizar alrededor del 70% de sus tenencias totales de espectro, representando aproximadamente 2.02 mil millones de dólares en total. La empresa retendrá 1.86 mil millones de MHz-Pops de espectro de banda baja y media, además de 17.2 mil millones de MHz-Pops de espectro mmWave.
UScellular는 AT&T에 10억 1,800만 달러에 특정 주파수 자산을 판매하는 계약을 발표했습니다. 이 거래에는 3.45 GHz의 1,250백만 MHz-Pops와 700 MHz B/C 블록 라이센스의 331백만 MHz-Pops가 포함됩니다. 이번 거래는 T-Mobile 판매에 포함되지 않은 주파수를 수익화하려는 UScellular의 전략의 일환입니다. 이와 이전에 발표된 거래들에 따라 UScellular는 전체 주파수 보유량의 약 70%를 수익화하는 계약을 갖게 되며, 총 약 20억 2천만 달러를 나타냅니다. 이 회사는 저주파 및 중환경 주파수 18.6억 MHz-Pops와 mmWave 주파수 172억 MHz-Pops를 유지할 것입니다.
UScellular a annoncé un accord pour vendre des actifs de spectre sélectionnés à AT&T pour 1,018 milliard de dollars. L'accord comprend 1 250 millions de MHz-Pops à 3,45 GHz et 331 millions de MHz-Pops de licences de blocs B/C de 700 MHz. Cette transaction fait partie de la stratégie de UScellular pour monétiser un spectre non inclus dans la vente à T-Mobile. Suite à cette opération et aux transactions précédemment annoncées, UScellular aura des accords pour monétiser environ 70 % de ses droits de spectre totaux, représentant environ 2,02 milliards de dollars au total. L'entreprise conservera 1,86 milliard de MHz-Pops de spectre à faible et moyenne bande, ainsi que 17,2 milliards de MHz-Pops de spectre mmWave.
UScellular hat eine Vereinbarung angekündigt, bestimmte Frequenzressourcen für 1,018 Milliarden Dollar an AT&T zu verkaufen. Das Geschäft umfasst 1.250 Millionen MHz-Pops bei 3,45 GHz und 331 Millionen MHz-Pops von Lizenzen des B/C-Blocks bei 700 MHz. Diese Transaktion ist Teil der Strategie von UScellular, Frequenzen zu monetarisieren, die nicht im Verkauf an T-Mobile enthalten sind. Nach dieser und zuvor angekündigten Transaktionen wird UScellular Vereinbarungen haben, um etwa 70 % seiner Gesamthaltung an Frequenzen zu monetarisieren, was insgesamt etwa 2,02 Milliarden Dollar entspricht. Das Unternehmen wird 1,86 Milliarden MHz-Pops von Niedrig- und Mittelbandfrequenzen sowie 17,2 Milliarden MHz-Pops von mmWave-Frequenzen behalten.
- Sale of spectrum assets to AT&T for $1.018 billion in cash
- Total monetization of spectrum assets reaching $2.02 billion across multiple deals
- Retention of valuable C-band spectrum with favorable attributes and long build-out timeline (2029/2033)
- Sale contingent upon closing of T-Mobile transaction and regulatory approvals
- 15% of licenses in AT&T deal depend on pending acquisition of third-party equity
Insights
This spectrum sale marks a significant strategic move for UScellular, bringing in
The retained C-band spectrum assets position UScellular well for future opportunities, with favorable build-out deadlines extending to 2029 and 2033. This provides significant optionality for either future monetization or deployment. The transaction's structure, requiring regulatory approvals and contingent mostly on the T-Mobile deal closure, demonstrates careful strategic planning while maximizing shareholder value.
The deal's valuation appears favorable, particularly considering current market conditions and spectrum valuations. The immediate cash consideration strengthens UScellular's balance sheet while maintaining strategic flexibility with remaining spectrum assets.
The spectrum package being sold to AT&T includes valuable 3.45 GHz and 700 MHz B/C block licenses, representing significant mid-band and low-band assets. The 3.45 GHz spectrum is particularly valuable for 5G deployment, offering an optimal balance of coverage and capacity. The retention of C-band spectrum is strategically sound, given its robust ecosystem support and ideal mid-band characteristics for 5G services.
Post-transaction, UScellular will maintain 1.86 billion MHz-Pops of low and mid-band spectrum plus 17.2 billion MHz-Pops of mmWave spectrum. This portfolio composition, particularly the C-band holdings, maintains substantial long-term value potential while providing operational flexibility through extended build-out timelines.
"We are pleased with the significant value that will be realized in the various transactions recently announced," said Laurent C. Therivel, President and CEO. "This agreement adds a fourth mobile network operator, in addition to T-Mobile, to the list of those whose subscribers will benefit from the sale of our spectrum licenses. As with the other mobile network operators, we are confident that AT&T can put it to productive use in communities throughout the U.S. Furthermore, the terms of the agreement will ensure that there will be continued, uninterrupted service for UScellular customers in the interim."
Following this transaction, as well as those previously announced, UScellular will have reached definitive agreements to monetize approximately
"After our proposed sales, we will be left with 1.86 billion MHz-Pops of low and mid-band spectrum, as well as 17.2 billion MHz-Pops of mmWave spectrum, with the substantial majority of retained value in the C-band spectrum," added Therivel.
"The C-band licenses have a number of attributes that we believe are favorable to their long-term value. First, our C-band licenses are positioned in an attractive mid-band frequency that can deliver outstanding speed and capacity. Second, there is a substantial 5G ecosystem of equipment vendors and existing infrastructure that uses C-band. Finally, they have a lengthy build-out timeline, with first and second build-out dates of 2029 and 2033, respectively. This provides ample time and optionality for us to either monetize or deploy the spectrum in the future. We will continue to look for ways to opportunistically monetize the C-band, as well as the other remaining spectrum."
Transaction Details
The agreement with AT&T includes the sale of 1,250 million MHz-Pops of 3.45 GHz and 331 million MHz-Pops of 700 MHz B/C block licenses for a total of
Substantially all of the transaction is contingent upon the closing of the sale of the UScellular wireless operations and select spectrum assets to T-Mobile and is subject to the receipt of regulatory approvals and satisfaction of customary closing conditions.
Some of the licenses being sold to AT&T are owned by a third party. Their sale to AT&T is contingent upon UScellular's purchase, which is pending receipt of regulatory approval, of the equity in the third party that UScellular does not currently own. Those licenses cover approximately
Other Transaction Details
TDS, in its role as the 83 percent shareholder of UScellular, has delivered its written consent approving the AT&T transaction. No further action by UScellular's shareholders will be needed or solicited in connection with the transaction.
Advisors
Citigroup Global Markets Inc. is serving as lead financial advisor and Centerview Partners LLC is serving as financial advisor to TDS. TD Securities (
About UScellular
United States Cellular Corporation provides a comprehensive range of wireless products and services, excellent customer support, and a high-quality network to customers with 4.5 million retail connections in 21 states. The
Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: All information set forth in this news release, except historical and factual information, represents forward-looking statements. This includes all statements about the company's plans, beliefs, estimates, and expectations. These statements are based on current estimates, projections, and assumptions, which involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that may affect these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: whether the previously announced transaction whereby UScellular has agreed to sell its wireless operations and selected spectrum assets to T-Mobile will be successfully completed or whether UScellular will be able to find buyers at mutually agreeable prices for its remaining spectrum assets; whether the previously announced transaction with Verizon will be successfully completed; whether the transactions announced today with AT&T will be successfully completed; whether these transactions will have an adverse impact on UScellular's business; and other risks and uncertainties that are more fully described under "Risk Factors" in the most recent filing of UScellular's Form 10-K, as updated by any UScellular Form 10-Q filed subsequent to such Form 10-K.
For more information about UScellular, visit: www.uscellular.com
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SOURCE United States Cellular Corporation
FAQ
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