Stilmark, its strategic shareholder
ATN International and OMERS Infrastructure today announced the formation of the
Symphony Consortium (“Symphony”), a partnership to jointly pursue opportunities
in Australian telecommunications infrastructure, capitalising on the rapidly
growing demand for new infrastructure driven by increasing data demand and the
deployment of 5G networks.
Symphony brings together one of
Canada’s largest defined benefit pension plans and a prominent global
infrastructure investor in OMERS with net assets of AUD$116 billion and fast
growing Australian tower company Stilmark, supported by one of the largest US
neutral host wireless network operators in ATN International.
Stilmark founder and CEO Steven
Butler said Australian consumers would continue to benefit from the increased
competition Symphony will bring to the telecommunications infrastructure
market.
The consortium members are proven world
leaders in establishing, owning and operating fair, transparent and long-term
infrastructure partnerships with customers.” Mr Butler said.
“Since our market entry in 2016, we
have been delighted to see Stilmark’s customers enjoying the significant
benefits of competition in the market for critical telecommunications infrastructure.
We see opportunities to continue to partner on both greenfield and in-situ assets
that accelerate strategic priorities, including 5G network deployments. The
addition of OMERS Infrastructure provides us with the financial power to
further accelerate our growth.”
OMERS Infrastructure’s Managing
Director for Australia, Christopher Curtain, said, “We are delighted to work
with Stilmark and ATN International, building on our existing and growing
presence in Australia following our most recent investment in TransGrid. The
strong focus on delivering innovative and market leading solutions for its
customers was a key part of the attraction to Stilmark. We are looking forward
to exploring opportunities, and working with our highly-reputable partners to
leverage the global experience OMERS brings through successful major
telecommunications investments internationally in France and Germany. ”
Stilmark chairman Graham Bradley AM
said Stilmark has a proven track record of leading telecommunication tower
deployment in the Australian market with a highly regarded and trusted
management team.
“This combined with ATN’s
experience and the benefit of OMERS’ patient long-term capital, financial power
and extensive Australian experience means we are well positioned to pursue
opportunities that will assist Australian mobile network operators accelerate
the rollout of 5G networks. This will benefit all Australians, from cities to
regional areas.”
ATN International Chairman and CEO
Michael Prior said the company first invested in Stilmark in 2017 and have
worked closely with the Stilmark team to take advantage of a significant market
opportunity in Australia.
“Through Symphony we are able to
leverage our more than 15 years of experience operating one of the largest
neutral host mobile networks in the US across 10 states for all major US
carriers,” Mr Prior said.
The Consortium is also pleased to
announce James Eisenstein, the co-Founder of American Tower Corporation, board
Director of ATN International and Chairman & CEO Grupo TorreSur, and
former Vodafone NZ CEO Russell Stanners as special advisors to the Consortium.
“Both James and Russell are
experienced international CEOs, and join the existing group of prominent
industry former executives and investors in supporting the Consortium” Mr
Butler said.
In September AMP Capital announced a $130
million senior syndicated loan facility with Stilmark to support its deployment
of new mobile tower infrastructure across Australia.
Stilmark Holdings Pty Ltd is an Australian specialist tower infrastructure developer, owner and operator, established in 2013. Stilmark partners with mobile carriers and wireless network operators to deliver a fundamentally different approach to infrastructure deployment, focusing on long term alignment of incentives with our customers. Stilmark has a demonstrated track record on delivery of new tower assets, achieving market leading deployment speed with the highest quality standards. In 2017 US based ATN International Inc (NASDAQ:ATNI) joined Stilmark as a strategic investor.
OMERS Infrastructure manages investments globally in infrastructure
on behalf of OMERS, the defined benefit pension plan for municipal employees in
the Province of Ontario, Canada. Investments are aimed at steady returns to
help deliver sustainable, affordable and meaningful pensions to OMERS members.
OMERS diversified portfolio of large-scale infrastructure assets exhibits
stability and strong cash flows, in sectors including energy, transportation
and government-regulated services. OMERS has employees in Toronto and other
major cities across North America, the U.K., Continental Europe, Asia and
Australia. OMERS is one of Canada's largest defined benefit pension funds with
net assets of C$109 billion.
More information: www.omersinfrastructure.com
ATN International (ATNI) and its portfolio of companies own
and operate communications companies and renewable energy assets in the US and
internationally. Founded in 1987, ATN is traded on the NASDAQ stock exchange
and is headquartered in Beverly, Massachusetts, U.S.A. ATN is one of the
largest neutral host mobile carriers in the US and owns and operates
communications and energy infrastructure companies in several countries.
More information: https://atni.com/