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NEW YORK - EQT, a global investment organization, has reached a definitive agreement to acquire the Small Cells Solutions business from Crown Castle Inc. (NYSE: CCI), valuing the division at approximately $4.25 billion. Crown Castle, a prominent player in the Specialized REITs industry with a market capitalization of $41.3 billion, currently trades above its InvestingPro Fair Value, suggesting the deal could be well-timed for the company. The deal, announced today, involves the transfer of a leading digital infrastructure segment specializing in small cell network deployment—a key element in enhancing wireless connectivity across the United States.
The Small Cells Solutions business boasts a nationwide portfolio with roughly 115,000 small cells, either active or under contract, spanning 43 states. This network serves the top three U.S. mobile network operators and is instrumental in providing additional capacity in areas where larger macro towers are not present. Crown Castle maintains strong financial metrics with $6.59 billion in revenue and an attractive dividend yield of 6.57%, making it a notable income stock in the infrastructure sector.
This transaction comes at a time when there is an increasing demand for network densification, driven by the rise of 5G, the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and other emerging technologies. The acquired company is poised to capitalize on these trends by offering comprehensive services that help carriers expand coverage and improve network efficiency to meet the growing demands for mobile data traffic.
EQT plans to support the Small Cells Solutions business’s growth by leveraging its global scale and expertise in the digital infrastructure sector. The investment aligns with EQT’s strategy to back core infrastructure assets that show strong growth potential.
In a related move, Zayo, supported by EQT Infrastructure IV fund and Digital Bridge, will acquire Crown Castle’s Fiber Solutions business. Both acquisitions, which total a combined value of $8.5 billion, will see Zayo and the Small Cells Solutions business enter into a long-term commercial agreement to provide fiber to the small cell network.
The transaction is set to close in the first half of 2026, pending regulatory review and other standard closing conditions. TD Securities and Kirkland & Ellis served as financial and legal advisors, respectively, to EQT for the transaction.
This strategic acquisition marks a significant investment in the infrastructure required for next-generation digital connectivity, reflecting the growing importance of small cell networks in the expanding digital landscape. The information on this acquisition is based on a press release statement.
In other recent news, Crown Castle Inc. announced the sale of its small cells and fiber solutions businesses for $8.5 billion, with the transaction expected to close in the first half of 2026. This strategic move will allow Crown Castle to concentrate on its tower business, which comprises approximately 40,000 towers. The company reported a net loss of $3.9 billion for 2024, primarily due to a $5.0 billion goodwill impairment charge related to the Fiber business. Site rental revenues decreased by 2.7% from 2023 to 2024, and Adjusted EBITDA slightly declined to $4.2 billion. Crown Castle plans to implement a $3.0 billion share repurchase program and reduce its annualized dividend starting in the second quarter of 2025. JMP Securities maintained a Market Outperform rating on Crown Castle with a $115 price target, citing anticipated growth in lease applications for the company’s infrastructure. Additionally, Crown Castle announced amendments to its executive incentive plan and bylaws to enhance governance and align compensation with performance. The company also disclosed that two directors, Ari Fitzgerald and Cindy Christy, will not seek re-election at the upcoming annual stockholders’ meeting.
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