Uniti Group Conference Call Summary Company Overview - **Company**: Uniti Group (NasdaqGS: UNIT) - **Event**: Conference Call on September 16, 2025 Key Highlights Industry and Market Dynamics - The merger with Windstream has positioned Uniti as a leading fiber provider in the U.S. [2] - Major wireless carriers (T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T) are investing in fiber-to-the-home, validating Uniti's strategic direction [3] - The rise of hyperscalers and generative AI is driving increased demand for fiber infrastructure [3] Financial and Operational Insights - Prior to the merger, Uniti's revenue was 95% from fiber; post-merger, it is expected to drop to 40% but aims to return to 75-80% within three years [5] - Kinetic, the local exchange carrier, currently serves 4.5 million homes, with plans to expand fiber coverage from 1.7 million to 3.5 million by 2029 [5] - The transition from legacy services is a critical focus, with expectations of significant growth in fiber revenue and EBITDA [4][7] Strategic Initiatives - Uniti is prioritizing fiber builds in less competitive, tier two and tier three markets, which are seen as "virgin territories" for fiber-to-the-home [10][13] - The company is shifting from insourcing to utilizing third-party contractors to accelerate fiber buildouts [13] - A focus on dense markets is emphasized to maximize household connections per dollar spent [12] Competitive Landscape - Fixed wireless is emerging as a stronger competitor than anticipated, but Uniti believes fiber's superior reliability will allow them to regain market share [15][16] - The company targets a blended penetration of 40% across its footprint, with expectations of continued growth beyond that [17] Regulatory Environment - The FCC is increasingly supportive of telecom operators, particularly regarding copper decommissioning and streamlining permitting processes [20][22] - Uniti has received $156 million in BEAD funding, focusing on non-subsidized builds to enhance its competitive position [32][33] Future Outlook - The company anticipates significant growth in hyperscaler demand, with expectations of seeing this reflected in financial results by 2026 [30] - Uniti's strategy includes a national wholesale fiber approach while targeting specific markets for enterprise and residential services [25][26] Additional Insights - The company is optimistic about the potential for fiber to become the dominant revenue source, with copper services becoming inconsequential in the near future [8] - The integration of Windstream is still in its early stages, but the leadership is confident in the long-term benefits of the merger [24]