Uniti(UNIT)2025-05-28 14:40Financial 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 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]