The sales process for the Optus telecommunication towers has been delayed as COVID-19 makes getting deals down within a speedy time frame challenging.
It is now expected that the sale by Optus parent Singtel of its Australian telecommunications towers will happen next year.
The Optus mobile towers are expected to be worth about $2bn, with an interest of about 70 per cent likely to be divested.
Potential acquirers include Axicom, Morrison and the Future Fund, along with international strategic player American Tower.
The typical private equity names, including Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, TPG Capital and The Carlyle Group will all initially be in the mix.
American Tower is a US real estate investment trust and owner and operator of wireless and broadcast communications infrastructure in several countries worldwide.
It is understood that the Future Fund, with $168bn of assets under management, is teaming up with Morrison as part of its effort to acquire the assets, while Axicom has tapped Credit Suisse and Macquarie Capital as its advisers. Axicom, the former Crown Castle operation, is the favourite to win the competition, providing the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission has no objections.
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