DigitalBridge Group (NYSE:DBRG) Conference Transcript

DigitalBridge Group (NYSE:DBRG) Conference Summary Industry Overview - The infrastructure ecosystem is facing significant challenges with 57 companies competing globally for business [5] - This year is projected to be the largest in terms of capital expenditure (CapEx) deployment across the ecosystem [5] - The company emphasizes the importance of capital and power in the current market [6] Key Insights on Infrastructure - The demand for mobile infrastructure, particularly towers, is experiencing a resurgence, with leasing demand at its highest since 2013 [8] - Mobile data traffic is expected to increase between 3x and 5x, driven by the rise of AI and connected devices [9][11] - The number of connected wireless devices is projected to grow from 30 billion today to 60 billion by 2033 [11] - Machine-to-machine connectivity is identified as the fastest-growing area of data consumption in AI [12] Fiber and Tower Infrastructure - The company is optimistic about the mobile infrastructure sector, particularly due to the growth in machine-to-machine connectivity and AI inferencing [13] - There is a notable increase in new construction, with Vertical Bridge expected to deliver 1,000 towers this year, up from 800 last year [18] - The company is focusing on both residential and commercial fiber businesses, with significant investments planned [20][21] Data Center and Power Strategy - DigitalBridge is investing heavily in data centers, with an average spend of $10 million per megawatt, which has increased to $11-$12 million [30] - The company has a power bank of 22 gigawatts and aims to lease this capacity over the next three years [32] - The U.S. is facing a significant power gap, with a need for 200-300 gigawatts of new power generation [49] - DigitalBridge is exploring building grid-independent power solutions and microgrids to address power challenges [50][55] Financial Performance and Future Outlook - The company is focused on converting megawatts into carried interest, which is expected to significantly enhance its net asset value (NAV) [59] - Fee-related earnings (FRE) are projected to grow, with a goal of achieving a 40% margin by year-end [61] - DigitalBridge is transitioning from a digital REIT to a financial alternative space, which presents both challenges and opportunities [42] Conclusion - DigitalBridge is positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for digital infrastructure, particularly in mobile, fiber, and data center sectors, while addressing power supply challenges through innovative solutions [55][61]