Summary
T-Mobile US, Inc. (TMUS) has announced a significant strategic move through a definitive agreement to establish a joint venture (JV) with KKR & Co. Inc. (KKR) to acquire Metronet Holdings, LLC. This JV aims to acquire Metronet's fiber broadband infrastructure, residential fiber business, and existing customers. T-Mobile will acquire 100% of Metronet's residential fiber retail operations and customers, and will become the exclusive seller of Metronet's residential fiber services under the T-Mobile brand through a wholesale agreement. This transaction represents T-Mobile's strategic expansion into the fixed-line broadband market, leveraging Metronet's infrastructure. T-Mobile expects to invest approximately $4.9 billion for a 50% equity stake in the JV, with the JV intended to be self-funding post-closing. The company anticipates this move will support its existing stockholder remuneration plan. The transaction is expected to close in 2025, subject to regulatory approvals and closing conditions.
Key Highlights
- 1T-Mobile enters a joint venture with KKR to acquire Metronet's fiber broadband assets and operations.
- 2T-Mobile will acquire Metronet's residential fiber retail operations and customers, and become the exclusive seller of its fiber services.
- 3The JV aims to pass approximately 6.5 million homes with fiber by the end of 2030.
- 4T-Mobile to invest approximately $4.9 billion for a 50% equity stake in the JV.
- 5The JV is expected to be self-funding on a go-forward basis, with no additional capital anticipated from T-Mobile after closing.
- 6T-Mobile holds options to increase its ownership in the JV to 50.01% and to purchase KKR's interest in the future.
- 7The transaction is expected to close in 2025, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.