iiNet Limited ( IIN) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a binding agreement, subject to iiNet shareholder approval, to acquire the AAPT Consumer Division from Telecom New Zealand (TEL). This has been accompanied by the completion of an underwritten block-trade to institutional and sophisticated investors of Telecom New Zealand’s (TNZ) 18.2% shareholding in iiNet. iiNet’s Chief Executive Officer, Michael Malone said the acquisition strengthens the company’s position as the clear leading challenger brand in the Australian telecommunications market.
Acquisition of approximately 113,000 broadband subscribers and over 251,000 other active services to bring iiNet’s broadband subscribers to more than 652,000 and total active services to more than 1,326,000; EPS accretive in FY11; Expected post-synergies EBITDA of $20m in first full year after acquisition in addition to the $10m EBITDA expected contribution from Netspace in FY11; $60m acquisition price represents 3x expected post-synergies EBITDA multiple; Approximately 25,000 subscribers expected to be migrated to iiNet’s network; Consistent with iiNet’s strategy to grow through consolidation; Extension of the existing Wholesale Agreement with AAPT; Acquisition to be 100% cash and debt funded, avoiding shareholder dilution; and Comfortable debt profile post acquisition.
Mr. Malone said that while it had only been a short time since the acquisition of Netspace, the AAPT Consumer Division represents a unique opportunity to acquire a subscriber base of scale in an increasingly consolidated market and to strengthen the five year old Alliance Agreement with PowerTel, now the wholesale division of AAPT. Synergies are expected to be achieved from a rationalisation of marketing expenditure, on-net migration and cost rationalisation. The AAPT brand will not be acquired. Additional value will be derived through applying iiNet’s strong brand and quality customer service to drive customer retention.
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