CONCORD, N.C., March 24, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kinetic, the insurgent leader in residential and business fiber internet, proudly announced today that technology and consumer electronics website CNET named it Best Rural Fiber Internet Provider for a second year in a row. CNET recognized Kinetic for its multi-gig speeds, low prices, unlimited data and no long-term contracts, which is considered rare in rural communities. The accolade reflects Kinetic’s commitment to delivering better internet experience, a ...

CNET CNET is a leading online website for news and reviews on technology and consumer electronics. CONCORD, N.C., March 24, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kinetic, the insurgent leader in residential and business fiber internet, proudly announced today that technology and consumer electronics website CNET named it Best Rural Fiber Internet Provider for a second year in a row. CNET recognized Kinetic for its multi-gig speeds, low prices, unlimited data and no long-term contracts, which is considered rare in ru ...

Core Insights - Kinetic has been awarded the 2026 Best Multi-Gig Internet Value Award by Compare Internet, highlighting its commitment to providing superior internet experiences at competitive prices [1][2][3] Company Recognition - Kinetic's multi-gig speed plans include features such as Wifi 7 and a three-year price guarantee, which contrasts with competitors that often increase prices after the first year [2][3] - The company has previously received accolades, including CNET's 2025 Best Rural Fiber Internet Provider and Newsweek's 2025 Best High-Speed Rural Internet for two consecutive years [3] Commitment to Community - Kinetic is recognized for expanding high-speed fiber internet access to underserved areas, including small towns and rural regions, where such services are typically scarce [3] - The company aims to enhance the quality of life for customers and stimulate economic growth by improving digital equity through its fiber technology [3] Award Selection Criteria - Compare Internet evaluates providers based on data analysis, technology, and consumer priorities, celebrating those who prioritize customer satisfaction and innovation [4] Company Overview - Kinetic operates as a business unit of Uniti, providing multi-gigabit fiber internet and related services across 1,400 markets in 18 states in the U.S. [5]

Core Insights - Kinetic has been awarded the 2026 Best Multi-Gig Internet Value Award by Compare Internet, highlighting its commitment to providing superior internet services at competitive prices [1][2] Group 1: Award Recognition - The award recognizes Kinetic for its multi-gig speed plans that include features such as Wifi 7 and a long-term price stability guarantee, which helps avoid bill increases after promotional periods [2][4] - Kinetic's 3-year price guarantee sets it apart from competitors who often raise prices after the first year [2] Group 2: Company Commitment - Kinetic aims to enhance customer experiences by offering better pricing, improved speeds, and professional installation services through its Kinetic Promise™ [3] - The company is focused on expanding its fiber network to underserved communities, including small towns and rural areas, where high-speed fiber is often scarce [3] Group 3: Previous Recognitions - The recent accolade follows previous recognitions, including CNET's 2025 Best Rural Fiber Internet Provider and Newsweek's 2025 Best High-Speed Rural Internet Provider for two consecutive years [3] Group 4: Company Overview - Kinetic operates as a business unit of Uniti, providing multi-gigabit fiber internet and related services across 1,400 markets in 18 states in the U.S. [5]

Summary of Uniti Group FY Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Uniti Group (NasdaqGS: UNIT) - **Industry**: Telecommunications, specifically fiber optics - **Background**: Uniti Group was spun off from Windstream in 2015, initially serving as a fiber provider primarily for Windstream. The company has since diversified its operations through multiple fiber acquisitions, aiming to create a metro dense fiber platform in the Southeast [5][6]. Core Business Segments - **Residential Business (Kinetic)**: Focused on Fiber to the Home (FTTH) with a target to expand from 1.9 million fiber-served homes to 3.5 million by 2029. Currently, there are about 535,000 fiber subscribers, with a penetration rate approaching 30% [25][26]. - **Fiber Infrastructure**: Provides dark and lit fiber services to various customers, including telcos and hyperscalers, across a dense network in the central and southeastern U.S. [9][12]. - **Uniti Solutions**: Involves Windstream's legacy enterprise business, generating cash flow but not considered core to the ongoing strategy [7][8]. Strategic Developments - **Merger with Windstream**: The merger completed in 2025 aimed to leverage Windstream's focus on fiber build-out and Uniti's existing infrastructure to create synergies in both residential and wholesale markets [6][7]. - **Investment in Fiber Infrastructure**: Significant investments are being made in both Kinetic and Fiber Infrastructure to enhance service offerings and expand market reach [8][27]. Competitive Landscape - **Market Position**: Uniti Group has a competitive advantage in the Southeast due to its dense fiber networks, which are crucial for hyperscalers needing quick connectivity for large data centers [15][17]. - **Competition**: The company faces competition primarily from cable providers and other fiber companies, but its existing infrastructure and strategic investments allow it to maintain a favorable position [28][30]. Financial Metrics - **Average Revenue Per User (ARPU)**: Currently around $76, with historical growth rates exceeding 10%. Recent quarterly growth was 5% [30][31]. - **Cost to Build**: The cost to pass a home is between $900-$1,000, expected to stabilize between $800-$900 in the future, which is competitive within the industry [54]. Future Outlook - **Growth Strategy**: The focus will be on increasing fiber penetration in less competitive markets, enhancing customer experience, and potentially exploring M&A opportunities to further strengthen market position [38][49]. - **Fiber to the Home Expansion**: Continued investment in replacing copper networks with fiber is expected to drive growth, with a strategic approach to pricing and service offerings to attract customers [25][30]. Additional Insights - **AI and Data Centers**: The company is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for fiber infrastructure driven by AI and data center expansions, particularly in the Southeast [12][13]. - **Supply Chain Management**: Uniti Group has effectively managed supply chain risks and labor availability, ensuring that growth plans can be met without significant disruptions [40][42]. Conclusion Uniti Group is strategically positioned in the telecommunications sector with a focus on fiber infrastructure and residential services. The company is leveraging its existing assets and market position to drive growth while navigating competitive pressures and exploring future opportunities in M&A and service expansion.

Core Insights - Uniti Group (NASDAQ:UNIT) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on acquiring and constructing mission-critical communications infrastructure, primarily investing in fiber optic networks essential for modern telecommunications [1] Financial Performance - The company exceeded its 2025 pro forma revenue and EBITDA guidance, achieving $3.79 billion in revenue and $1.54 billion in EBITDA, showcasing strong operational momentum [3][6] - Frank Louthan from Raymond James set a price target of $11 for UNIT, indicating a potential upside of about 41.46% from its trading price of $7.78 at that time [2][6] Strategic Initiatives - Uniti Group is focusing on significant fiber expansion and plans to sell non-core assets valued between $500 million and $1 billion to reduce debt and potentially increase EBITDA by up to $100 million [4][6] - The company is considered a 'strong buy' due to the positive impact of merger synergies, which have helped it outperform expectations despite some near-term profit softness in 2026 [3] Market Activity - Currently, UNIT is trading at $7.77, with a slight decrease of 0.77%, and has fluctuated between a low of $7.37 and a high of $7.87 during the day [5] - Over the past year, UNIT has reached a high of $9.74 and a low of $5.30, with a market capitalization of approximately $1.91 billion and a trading volume of 2,106,372 shares [5]

Core Viewpoint - Uniti Group (NASDAQ:UNIT) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on acquiring and constructing mission-critical communications infrastructure, primarily investing in fiber optic networks essential for modern telecommunications [1] Financial Performance - Uniti Group reported robust financial performance, achieving $3.79 billion in revenue and $1.54 billion in EBITDA for 2025, surpassing its pro forma guidance and indicating strong operational momentum [3][6] - The company has shown resilience despite near-term profit softness expected in 2026, reflecting confidence in its strategic direction [2] Strategic Initiatives - Management is actively pursuing significant fiber expansion and plans to sell non-core assets valued between $500 million and $1 billion to reduce debt and potentially increase EBITDA by up to $100 million [4][6] - The focus on merger synergies and fiber expansion is a key component of Uniti's strategy, contributing to its outperformance in the market [2][6] Market Position - Currently, UNIT is trading at approximately $7.80, with a market capitalization of about $1.92 billion and a trading volume of around 1.26 million shares, indicating its significance in the telecommunications infrastructure sector [5]

Group 1 - Uniti Group Inc. announced participation in the Deutsche Bank 34th Annual Media, Internet & Telecom Conference on March 10, 2026 [1] - The company's Chief Financial Officer, Paul Bullington, and Senior Vice President of Investor Relations & Treasury, Bill DiTullio, will represent Uniti at the conference [1] Group 2 - Uniti is a premier insurgent fiber provider focused on enabling mission-critical connectivity across the United States [2] - The company offers a broad portfolio of services through various brands, including Uniti Wholesale, Kinetic, Uniti Fiber, and Uniti Solutions [2] - Uniti empowers over a million consumers and businesses in the digital economy with fast and reliable communications services [2]

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Core Insights - Kinetic is positioning 2026 as a significant investment year, with a focus on expanding its fiber network and enhancing its service offerings [1][5] Financial Performance - Kinetic's consumer fiber revenue increased by 24% year-over-year in the quarter, with total fiber subscribers rising by 20% [1] - The company reported a 13% year-over-year revenue growth in its core Fiber business, with record new bookings during the quarter [3] - Fiber Infrastructure revenue grew by 6% year-over-year in the fourth quarter, while Kinetic's overall fiber-based revenue increased by 16% [8] Subscriber Growth - Kinetic expanded its fiber network to reach an additional 80,000 homes in the fourth quarter, resulting in a total of approximately 1.9 million homes passed with fiber by the end of 2025 [2] - The company ended the quarter with 535,000 fiber subscribers, adding 28,000 net new subscribers [2] Churn and Customer Metrics - Kinetic achieved its best consumer fiber churn rate since the pandemic, with gross adds of 38,000 in the fourth quarter, the highest in its history [3] - Fiber penetration reached 29% in the fourth quarter, with a 5% increase in fiber ARPU year-over-year [1] Strategic Initiatives - The merger with Windstream is expected to enhance Kinetic's competitive position in the wholesale fiber market, allowing for larger infrastructure deals [4][5] - The company plans to build approximately 6,000 new route miles of fiber over the next three years, anticipating nearly $1 billion in cumulative non-recurring cash revenue by 2028 [9][10] Capital Structure and Financial Outlook - For 2026, the company expects consolidated revenue of about $3.63 billion and adjusted EBITDA of approximately $1.45 billion [12] - Blended yields on the company's debt have improved significantly, from around 12.5% in February 2023 to about 6.9% currently [13] Asset Monetization - The company sees potential for monetizing $500 million to $1 billion in non-core assets over the next 12 to 36 months, including excess fiber and certain real estate assets [14] Market Dynamics - Management emphasized the growing demand from hyperscalers and AI-related connectivity needs, describing the wholesale fiber opportunity as "generational" [7]