Brightspeed Receives Cash to Accelerate Fiber Optic Construction and Implement BEAD Plan
Brightspeed has reduced some of its debt and raised funds to promote the construction of its fiber optic network and implement multiple government subsidy programs, including the $42.45 billion Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program.
Specifically, the company stated that it has secured $3.7 billion in new financing and eliminated $1.1 billion in total debt.
At the same time, the company has also launched a more aggressive plan to lay fiber optic cables to over 4 million households and businesses, with the initial goal of reaching 1.75 million locations by the end of this year. Brightspeed stated that the transaction includes all of its financial stakeholders, including all of its secured lenders and funds managed by Apollo Global Management to support the construction.
The company also announced that Michel Combes, a former executive of SoftBank, Sprint, and Alcatel Lucent, has been appointed as the Chairman of the Board of Brightspeed, responsible for the company’s new stage of development. Bob Mudge, former chairman of Brightspeed, will continue to serve as a member of the board of directors.
Brightspeed CEO Tom Maguire said in a statement, “We have successfully provided fiber optic connectivity to 1.4 million households and businesses, and expanded our construction plans with the goal of covering over 4 million locations with our state-of-the-art fiber optic network.
Brightspeed’s current network covers parts of 20 states in the Midwest and East of the United States.
According to preliminary analysis by New Street Research, as of the end of 2023, Brightspeed has deployed fiber optic to approximately 500000 locations, up from 200000 locations in June 2023, and the new speed will double in 2024- from 1600 locations per day to 3800 locations.
The new goal can be achieved by the end of 2026
At this rate, the company should be able to easily achieve its goal of laying fiber optic cables in 1.75 million locations by the end of 2024, “explained Jonathan Chaplin, an analyst at Xinjiekou, in this research report.” If the company continues to deploy at its current pace, they will achieve their goal of 4 million outlets by the end of 2026 or early 2027.
Based on a calculation of $3300 per fiber optic location and $250 per copper cable location, Chaplin believes that Brightspeed’s current value is approximately $5.9 billion. As the company expands its fiber optic coverage, its value will climb to $7 billion by the end of the year and reach $13.8 billion by 2026.
It is worth noting that other ILECs with fiber optic assets, such as Frontier and Lumen, currently have low fiber asset value. He pointed out, ‘We believe they will gain this value at the appropriate time.’.
Significant BEAD opportunities
Chaplin estimates that Brightspeed has approximately 1.1 million BEAD eligible locations within its coverage of 20 states. According to his estimation, these locations can receive up to $3.7 billion in BEAD funding, which is an average of $3293 per location.
Brightspeed’s more aggressive fiber optic activities may put greater pressure on cable TV competitors, at least outside of potential BEAD locations. Chaplin stated that Charter Communications and Brightspeed have the highest overlap in business, reaching 40%, followed by Comcast (16%) and Altice USA (8%).