Broadband solution provider ICG Communications
Inc. Monday won $750 million in capital from investment firms to help
boost its products and services for Internet service providers.
Firms who contributed to ICG’s (ICGX)
funding include affiliates of Liberty Media Corp., Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst
Inc. and Gleacher Capital Partners. Liberty lead the way with $500 million
in funding, Hicks Muse followed with $230 million and Gleacher chipped in
$20 million. The investors are purchasing 8 percent convertible preferred
stock and warrants. The transaction is expected to close within 60 days.
Funds will be used for ICG’s expansion plan into 16 new major metropolitan
areas, to add an estimated 850,000 access lines and ports, and to purchase
equipment and facilities required to execute the company’s business
strategy. The focus of the 2000 business strategy is to provide products and
services that will enable ICG to capture increased market share ISP,
application service provider and local business markets.
“We are now solidly positioned to expand our network, accelerate our line
growth and extend our portfolio of products and services that will deliver
significant EBITDA growth in 2001,” said J. Shelby Bryan, ICG’s chairman and chief
executive officer. “The investors possess a very high level of
industry experience and vision.”
In related news, ICG and broadband company Teligent Inc. (TGNT) have agreed to a common
stock share exchange, subject to shareholder and regulatory approval. ICG
will acquire one million shares of Teligent common stock while, at the same
time, Teligent will purchase shares of ICG stock for the same total value.
The pricing is based on the average closing price of the stock of the two
companies over the 10 trading days prior to announcement of the
transaction.