Summary of Unity's Conference Call Company Overview - Unity is one of the largest independent fiber providers in the United States, with nearly 200,000 route miles of fiber [4][5][6] Industry Insights - The demand for fiber, particularly from hyperscalers, has significantly increased, with the Total Addressable Market (TAM) in the fiber space growing from a de minimis level to approximately $15 billion to $20 billion in just 12 to 24 months [5][7] - The company is experiencing a shift in its customer base, with hyperscalers now representing a substantial portion of its business [5][9] Financial Performance and Expectations - Unity reported strong demand and bookings, but cautioned that bookings can be lumpy due to the nature of hyperscaler deals [6][7] - The company anticipates that the TAM for hyperscalers will grow to $40 billion to $50 billion in the coming years [7] - Analyst estimates for the second quarter are considered low due to the back-end loaded nature of the year, primarily driven by large hyperscaler deals that do not reflect in traditional bookings [7][10] Customer Segmentation - Unity serves a diverse range of customer segments, including hyperscalers, wireless carriers, and large enterprises, with no single segment representing more than 10% of revenue or EBITDA [13][14] - The company is merging with Windstream, which has a significant wholesale fiber business, creating synergies and expanding opportunities in the hyperscaler market [16] Deal Structure and Yields - Unity's approach to hyperscaler deals involves building new fiber with anchor customers, targeting initial yields of 5% to 10% [18][19] - The blended initial yield on greenfield builds is around 7%, with overall yields approaching 30% [19][20] - The company is successfully executing its lease-up strategy, with yields from hyperscaler deals approaching 20% [20] Market Dynamics - Unity focuses on tier two and tier three markets, benefiting from less stressed power grids compared to larger cities, which enhances its ability to service hyperscaler data centers [22][23] - The company is optimistic about the transition from training to inference in AI, which is expected to drive increased demand for fiber [27][30] Fiber to the Home Strategy - Unity's Kinetic division aims to build fiber to 3.5 million homes by 2029, with a current build cost of approximately $6.50 per home, significantly lower than industry averages [40][41] - The company attributes its lower build costs to its focus on smaller markets and prior investments in backhaul and metro fiber [42][44] Financing and Capital Structure - Unity has identified $1 billion of ABS capacity for funding its builds, with potential capacity of $3 billion to $4 billion [54][56] - The company plans to maintain a healthy mix of high yield and ABS in its capital structure, taking advantage of lower refinancing opportunities [58][59] Market Perception and Stock Performance - Unity's stock price has been affected by technical overhangs related to its merger with Windstream and the transition from a REIT to a C Corp [61][62] - There is optimism about the intrinsic value of the business, despite current market perceptions [64]

LITTLE ROCK, Ark., May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Uniti Group Inc. (“Uniti”) (Nasdaq: UNIT) announced today that its President and Chief Executive Officer, Kenny Gunderman, is scheduled to present at the Nareit 2025 REITweek Investor Conference. The presentation is scheduled for 8:00 AM EDT on June 4, 2025 in New York, NY. You may access a live webcast of the event on Uniti’s Investor Relations website at investor.uniti.com. The webcast will be available for replay for a limited time following the present ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported strong demand and reiterated guidance for the combined company, indicating that the fundamentals of the business are strong despite perceived misguidance [6][8] - The total addressable market (TAM) for hyperscalers in the fiber industry has grown from de minimis to an estimated $15 billion, with projections to reach close to $50 billion in the coming years [16][17] - Hyperscalers currently represent less than 5% of revenue and EBITDA, but this is expected to change significantly as economic benefits from deals materialize [17][18] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has seen a significant increase in the number of generative AI deals in its funnel, growing from less than five to close to 100, now representing about 20% of the funnel [24][25] - The company maintains incredibly low churn rates, which supports mid-single-digit top-line growth even with steady bookings [21][22] - Fiber to the home providers have become the largest customer segment, with backhaul representing 10-20% of the cost of providing fiber to the home [48][49] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Wireless carriers have shown signs of growth in 2025 after a decline in 2024, with network infilling and backhaul purchases expected to increase [45][46] - The company is diversifying its customer segments, ensuring no single segment represents more than 20% of revenue or bookings [44] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on building a robust edge network to support the growing demand for inference models in AI, which is expected to drive future growth [27][37] - The merger with Windstream is seen as a strategic move to consolidate fiber to the home business and maximize fiber penetration [73][78] - The company is prioritizing capital allocation towards fiber infrastructure over M&A opportunities, although it remains open to bolt-on acquisitions and joint ventures [60][62] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledges the technical noise around the stock but emphasizes strong underlying business trends and demand, particularly in generative AI and hyperscaler markets [5][8] - The company is optimistic about the future, expecting to see significant growth in bookings and recurring revenue as it transitions from bespoke deals to more standardized offerings [18][19] - Management believes that the integration of AI into their operations will enhance efficiency and customer service post-merger with Windstream [55][56] Other Important Information - The company is not experiencing challenges in service delivery or meeting demand, maintaining discipline in its building strategy [40][41] - The company is actively exploring joint ventures to enhance its capabilities and capitalize on market opportunities [62][65] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the expectations regarding the stock price and market perception? - Management noted that the stock price fluctuations are largely due to technical factors and misperceptions, but the fundamentals remain strong [5][6] Question: How is the company addressing the demand for generative AI? - The company has seen a significant increase in generative AI deals and expects this segment to grow, representing a substantial portion of the future funnel [24][25] Question: What is the outlook for the wireless segment? - Management indicated that there are early signs of growth in the wireless segment, particularly in network infilling and backhaul purchases [45][46] Question: How does the company view M&A opportunities? - While M&A is always a consideration, the company currently sees the best returns from investing in fiber infrastructure rather than pursuing acquisitions [60][62] Question: What are the next steps post-merger with Windstream? - The focus will be on integrating Kinetic and maximizing fiber coverage, with plans to reach 3.5 million homes by 2029 [76][78]

Merger Overview - Uniti and Windstream are merging to create a premier insurgent fiber provider with approximately $4 billion in revenue[13] - The combined company will have approximately 240,000 fiber route miles covering 47 states in the U S [13] - Existing Uniti shareholders will own approximately 62% and existing Windstream shareholders will own approximately 38% of the combined company's outstanding common equity[13] - The combined company will have approximately 4 4 million residential households, approximately 150,000 on-net locations, and approximately 625,000 near-net locations[8] Financial Highlights - The combined company's core fiber revenue is estimated to be between $2 845 million and $2 865 million in 2025[25] - Total revenue for the combined company is estimated to be between $3 745 million and $3 780 million in 2025[25] - Total adjusted EBITDA for the combined company is estimated to be between $1 545 million and $1 575 million in 2025[25] - Total net Capex for the combined company is estimated to be between $1 210 million and $1 220 million in 2025[25] Growth and Strategy - Uniti is targeting strategic recurring revenue growth of approximately 4% to 6% in 2025[35] - Uniti is targeting strategic recurring adjusted EBITDA growth of approximately 8% to 10% in 2025[35] - Consolidated new sales bookings MRR was $0 8 million in the first quarter of 2025, up approximately 40% from the prior year period[49]

Core Viewpoint - Uniti Group Inc. is actively participating in the Goldman Sachs 10th Annual Leveraged Finance and Credit Conference, indicating its engagement with investors and the financial community [1]. Company Overview - Uniti is an internally managed real estate investment trust focused on acquiring and constructing mission-critical communications infrastructure, positioning itself as a leading provider of fiber and wireless solutions in the communications industry [3]. - As of March 31, 2025, Uniti owns approximately 147,000 fiber route miles and 8.8 million fiber strand miles, along with other communications real estate across the United States [3]. Investor Relations - Investor materials related to Uniti's participation in the conference will be available on its Investor Relations website under the Events & Presentations tab [2].

Core Points - Uniti Group Inc. will have its President and CEO, Kenny Gunderman, presenting at the TD Cowen 53rd Annual Technology, Media and Telecom Conference on May 28, 2025, at 9:40 AM EDT in New York, NY [1] - A live webcast of the event will be available on Uniti's Investor Relations website, with a replay option for a limited time after the presentation [2] - Uniti is an internally managed real estate investment trust focused on acquiring and constructing critical communications infrastructure, owning approximately 147,000 fiber route miles and 8.8 million fiber strand miles across the United States as of March 31, 2025 [3]

Uniti Group (UNIT) could be a solid choice for investors given its recent upgrade to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). This rating change essentially reflects an upward trend in earnings estimates -- one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices.A company's changing earnings picture is at the core of the Zacks rating. The system tracks the Zacks Consensus Estimate -- the consensus measure of EPS estimates from the sell-side analysts covering the stock -- for the current and following years.Since a changing ea ...

Merger Overview - Uniti and Windstream are merging to create a premier insurgent fiber provider with approximately $4 billion in revenue[13] - The combined company will have approximately 240,000 fiber route miles covering 47 states in the U S[13] - Existing Uniti shareholders will own approximately 62% and existing Windstream shareholders will own approximately 38% of the combined company's outstanding common equity[13] Network and Infrastructure - The combined company will have approximately 44 million residential households[8] - The combined network will include approximately 240,000 fiber route miles[8] - The combined network will have approximately 150,000 on-net locations[8] - The combined network will have approximately 625,000 near-net locations[8] - The combined network will have approximately 128,000 fiber-to-the-tower connections and approximately 26,000 small cell connections[8] - The combined company anticipates reaching approximately 2 million homes passed with fiber by year-end 2025, increasing to approximately 35 million by 2029[17] Financial Projections - The pro forma estimate for total revenue in 2025 is between $3745 million and $3780 million[25] - The pro forma estimate for total adjusted EBITDA in 2025 is between $1545 million and $1575 million[25] - The pro forma estimate for total net Capex in 2025 is between $1210 million and $1220 million[25]

Summary of the Conference Call on Commercial Fiber Industry Overview - The conference focused on the commercial fiber industry, particularly the impact of AI on demand and the competitive landscape within the sector [5][4]. Key Companies Involved - **Cogent Communications**: Represented by Dave Schafer, CEO. - **Unity Group**: Represented by Kenny Gunderman, CEO. Core Insights and Arguments Demand Dynamics - AI-driven demand has significantly altered expectations in the commercial fiber space, with hyperscalers contributing to approximately 15-20% of Unity's bookings [6][8]. - The Total Addressable Market (TAM) for hyperscalers is estimated to be $15 billion, projected to grow to $40-50 billion in the coming years [7][8]. - There is a notable shift from lit services to dark fiber, with customers increasingly opting for dark fiber due to long-term capacity commitments [15][19]. Infrastructure and Use Cases - AI applications are driving new transport needs, with dark fiber and wavelengths being critical for linking data sets to training locations [12][13]. - The demand for dark fiber is increasing as customers plan for long-term capacity, with some hyperscalers purchasing significant strand counts [17][19]. Non-AI Demand - Non-AI demand remains robust, with fiber being essential for various applications, including mobile broadband and fiber-to-the-home [29][31]. - The industry is expected to grow at a rate of 5-10% over the long term, driven by diverse customer segments [31][33]. Competitive Landscape - The market is characterized by distinct strategies among providers. Cogent focuses on optimizing its network for wavelength deployment, while Unity targets Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets to avoid intense competition [35][43]. - Both companies emphasize the importance of unique routes and network quality in maintaining competitive advantages [70][71]. Strategic Approaches - Cogent's strategy involves leveraging existing infrastructure and acquiring dark fiber rather than building new routes, as the return on investment for new construction is often inadequate [52][54]. - Unity's strategy focuses on building in less competitive markets, ensuring a larger market share despite potentially smaller overall market sizes [46][49]. Future Market Trends - The wavelength market is anticipated to grow in both capacity and dollar size, with competition centered around network quality and provisioning speed rather than price alone [69][70]. - Legacy providers face challenges due to rigid cost structures and declining revenue per bit, necessitating flexibility in their operations to adapt to market changes [74][75]. Additional Important Points - The discussion highlighted the importance of understanding customer needs and market dynamics, with both companies expressing confidence in their diversified customer bases [33][34]. - The call underscored the ongoing evolution of the fiber industry, driven by technological advancements and changing customer demands [66][74].

Summary of Uniti Group (UNIT) FY Conference Call - May 13, 2025 Company Overview - **Company**: Uniti Group (UNIT) - **Industry**: Communications Infrastructure - **Key Speaker**: Kenny Gunderman, President and CEO Key Points and Arguments Fiber as a Critical Asset - Uniti Group emphasizes the importance of fiber as a mission-critical asset for all broadband services, including mobile wireless, fixed wireless, and fiber to the home [3][4] - The company believes fiber is essential for future growth in the industry, particularly with trends like convergence and the rise of hyperscalers and generative AI [3] Business Segments and Growth - Uniti Group operates a national wholesale business with 240,000 route miles and nearly 800,000 connected buildings, growing at 5% to 6% annually [4] - Uniti Fiber focuses on regional markets, providing lit and dark fiber to enterprises, schools, and government, also growing at 5% to 6% [4] - Kinetic, the fiber to the home business, aims to reach 4.4 million homes, with plans to build fiber to 2 million homes by the end of the year [5] Market Positioning - Uniti Group targets Tier two and Tier three markets, which are less competitive but offer higher growth potential due to early market entry [26] - The company maintains a diverse customer base across various use cases of fiber, independent of market tier [7] Merger with Windstream - Uniti is merging with Windstream, which has been a private company for five years, leading to asymmetrical information in the market [10][11] - The merger is expected to close in the third quarter of 2025, with 16 out of 18 necessary approvals already obtained [13][14] - The combined company will have a more robust product offering, including lit services and master lease agreements (MLAs) with hyperscalers, enhancing sales capabilities [65][66] Financial Guidance and Growth Projections - Uniti Group projects 4% to 6% strategic revenue growth and 8% to 10% adjusted EBITDA growth [25] - The company has low churn rates, with fiber churn around 0.2% to 0.4%, contributing to stable revenue growth [27][29] - The merger will initially reduce the percentage of revenue from fiber but aims to return to 80% to 90% fiber revenue as legacy services are replaced [30] Capital Expenditure and Financing - Uniti has successfully utilized the ABS market for financing, with plans to raise $3 billion to $4 billion in the midterm [53] - The company aims to manage capital intensity down from over 50% to 20% to 25% through leasing strategies [47] Hyperscaler Opportunities - Uniti sees significant growth potential in serving hyperscalers, estimating a total addressable market (TAM) of $15 billion, expected to triple in the next few years [38] - The company is not overly reliant on hyperscalers, with them currently representing a small percentage of revenue [35][62] Fixed Wireless and Fiber to the Tower - Fixed wireless access has been a competitive challenge for Kinetic but also provides opportunities for Uniti to sell fiber to wireless carriers [60][61] - Uniti plans to maintain a diversified revenue stream, with wireless carriers representing less than 10% of total revenue [62] Additional Important Insights - The company is focused on building anchor networks with initial cash flow yields of 5% to 10%, aiming for blended yields above 27% post-lease up [57][58] - The sales cycle for fiber solutions is lengthy, often taking 6 to 12 months, which impacts revenue recognition [43][45] This summary encapsulates the key insights and strategic directions discussed during the Uniti Group conference call, highlighting the company's focus on fiber infrastructure, growth opportunities, and the implications of the Windstream merger.