Stilmark
- Symphony Consortium to pursue opportunities driven by growing infrastructure demand, supporting data demand growth and 5G network rollouts
- A$116 billion Canadian pension fund OMERS provides deep funding capacity and global telecommunications and infrastructure experience
- ATN International, a leading American neutral host network operator, continues support for Stilmark as strategic investor
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.
/Public Release.
