Verizon to Acquire Frontier for $20B

On Sep 6, 2024

Verizon Communications Inc., Basking Ridge, and Frontier Communications Parent, Inc. of Dallas, Texas, have entered into a definitive agreement for Verizon to acquire Frontier in an all-cash transaction valued at $20 billion. This acquisition of the largest pure-play fiber internet provider in the U.S. will expand Verizon’s fiber footprint across the nation, accelerating the company’s delivery of premium mobility and broadband services to current and new customers. It will also expand Verizon’s intelligent edge network for digital innovations like AI and IoT.

The combination will integrate Frontier’s fiber network into Verizon’s portfolio of fiber and wireless assets, including its Fios offering. Over approximately four years, Frontier has invested $4.1 billion upgrading and expanding its fiber network, and now derives more than 50% of its revenue from fiber products. Frontier’s 2.2 million fiber subscribers across 25 states will join Verizon’s approximately 7.4 million Fios connections in 9 states and Washington, D.C. In addition to Frontier’s 7.2 million fiber locations, the company is committed to its plan to build out an additional 2.8 million fiber locations by the end of 2026.

“Connectivity is essential in nearly every part of our lives and work, and no one delivers better than Verizon,” said Verizon Chairman and CEO Hans Vestberg. “Verizon offers more choice, flexibility and value, and we continuously look for ways to provide the best product and network experience to our customers as we bolster our position as the provider of choice.”

Vestberg added: “The acquisition of Frontier is a strategic fit. It will build on Verizon’s two decades of leadership at the forefront of fiber and is an opportunity to become more competitive in more markets throughout the United States, enhancing our ability to deliver premium offerings to millions more customers across a combined fiber network.”

“Less than four years ago, we set out an ambitious plan to Build Gigabit America, the digital infrastructure this country needs to thrive for generations to come,” said Nick Jeffery, president and CEO of Frontier. “This announcement is recognition of our progress building a best-in-class fiber network and delivering reliable, high-speed broadband to millions of customers across the country. It’s also a vote of confidence for the future of fiber. I am confident that this delivers a significant and certain cash premium to Frontier’s shareholders, while creating exciting new opportunities for our employees and expanding access to reliable connectivity for more Americans.”

Under the terms of the agreement, Verizon will acquire Frontier for $38.50 per share in cash, representing a premium of 43.7% to Frontier’s 90-Day volume-weighted average share price (VWAP) on September 3, 2024, the last trading day prior to media reports regarding a potential acquisition of Frontier. The transaction is valued at approximately $20 billion of enterprise value.

The transaction has been unanimously approved by the Verizon and Frontier Boards of Directors. It is expected to close in approximately 18 months, subject to approval by Frontier shareholders, receipt of certain regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

Centerview Partners LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC acted as financial advisors to Verizon and Debevoise & Plimpton LLP acted as legal counsel. PJT Partners served as financial advisor to the Strategic Review Committee of the Board of Directors of Frontier, and Barclays served as financial advisor to Frontier. Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP served as legal advisor to Frontier, and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP served as legal advisor to the Strategic Review Committee of the Board of Directors of Frontier.

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