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Array Digital Infrastructure (NYSE:AD) FY Conference Transcript
2025-11-18 17:47
Summary of Array Digital Infrastructure FY Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Array Digital Infrastructure (NYSE: AD) - **Industry**: Telecommunications and Communications Infrastructure Key Points and Arguments Company Structure and Assets - Array has three main pillars of value: 1. **Tower Business**: Owns 4,400 towers with a tenancy rate of 1.02 post-T-Mobile MLA [4][5] 2. **Spectrum Assets**: Retained spectrum from US Cellular, with 70% of it expected to be sold [4][7] 3. **Non-controlling Investments**: Approximately 10 investments generating around $150 million in cash distributions annually [4][5] Spectrum Transactions - Pending sales include: - **AT&T**: $1 billion for 3.45 GHz and 700 MHz spectrum, expected to close in Q4 2025 or early 2026, with a projected $10 dividend per share [7][8] - **Verizon**: $1 billion for 850 MHz spectrum, expected to close in Q3 2026, with a projected $8.50 dividend per share [8] - Additional $178 million spectrum sale to T-Mobile expected to close in 2026 [8] Growth Prospects - Strong growth anticipated due to: - Increased applications for new colocations up 125% year-over-year [13] - High-quality infrastructure with 80% of towers over 150 feet tall [14] - In-house sales and leasing operations enhancing direct relationships with carriers [15] T-Mobile Relationship and Naked Towers - Anticipates 800-1,800 tenantless towers post-T-Mobile transition by 2028 [16] - Strategy includes aggressively leasing naked towers and seeking rent relief from ground lessors [19][20] Market Position and Competitive Landscape - Towers are well-positioned for 5G buildouts, with a focus on rural and suburban areas [13][14] - Satellite technology viewed as complementary rather than a competitive threat [29][30] Spectrum Monetization Strategy - Plans to monetize remaining C-band spectrum by 2029, with a focus on achieving the right price [39][40] Cost Optimization and Financial Strategy - Targeting EBITDA margins of 45-50% through revenue growth and cost management [40] - SG&A costs expected to remain high through the first half of 2026 due to wind-down of wireless operations [42] - Excess cash anticipated to be returned to shareholders via dividends post-spectrum sales [48] Future Considerations - Potential for REIT conversion being explored, but current asset profile presents challenges [52] - Management committed to maintaining a three-times leverage profile while focusing on operational improvements [53] M&A and Growth Strategy - No substantial interest in M&A in the near term; focus remains on operational efficiency and growth [54][55] - Interest in build-to-suit models is low, with a focus on maximizing existing tower capacity [56] Leadership Transition - Transition from Doug Chambers to Anthony Carlson is expected to be smooth, with confidence in the new leadership team [71] Additional Important Insights - The company is positioned to leverage its unique structure and scale to compete effectively in the tower business [60][61] - Revenue per tower is identified as the primary driver for margin improvement, with a current tenancy rate significantly lower than larger peers [62][63]