Infratil Limited/Announcement
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Strategic investment in Console Connect

M&A9 July 2023IFTUtilities

Infratil Limited 5 Market Lane, PO Box 320, Wellington, New Zealand Tel +64-4-473 3663 www.infratil.com

10 July 2023



Infratil announces strategic investment in Console Connect in partnership with HKT


Infratil Limited (‘Infratil’) (NZX/ASX: IFT) is pleased to announce that it has executed a conditional

agreement with HKT Trust and HKT Limited (‘HKT’) (SEHK:6823), a leading telecommunications company in

Hong Kong, to establish a strategic partnership to accelerate the growth of its Console Connect business

(‘Console Connect’).


Console Connect is a top-3 global software-defined interconnection platform offering next-generation

automated connectivity solutions. The Console Connect platform makes connecting to data centres,

partners, clouds, and other applications simple and secure, with fully automated switching and routing.


Console Connect owns its global IP network which has been developed over many years and has been a top

10 Tier 1 network globally for the last 5 years, serving ~17% of all internet traffic and reaching over 150

countries. Integration with an owned Tier 1 IP network, as well as long-term integrated access to a global

backbone network, provides a clear point of differentiation for Console Connect given its extensive network

coverage and superior unit economics.


Infratil will initially acquire an 80% stake in Console Connect from HKT for US$160 million. Infratil will also

enter into a strategic partnership with HKT, with both jointly investing up to US$295 million over a 2-year

period following completion of the acquisition to accelerate Console Connect’s growth through:

- Joint sales and marketing via an HKT-supported approach to offer critical fibre infrastructure and

IP access to its existing and new enterprise & wholesale customers.

- Investment in new subsea cable systems and network development to increase Console Connect’s

network capacity, resiliency, and reach.

- Continued investment in research and development (‘R&D’) of Console Connect’s technology

platform to expand and enhance its product offerings.


Following this initial period of growth investment, Infratil will own between 60-80% of Console Connect,

with HKT holding the remainder. Ultimate ownership stakes will reflect the relative equity contributions of

each party over this initial 2-year period. As the majority investor, Infratil will have governance rights

consistent with its interest and, working alongside HKT, will continue to drive the development and growth

of the business.


Infratil’s initial investment implies a 3.4x EV / FY2022A revenue multiple for Console Connect, with target

returns of 15 – 25% over 10 years. The purchase price includes an earnout and is subject to usual completion

adjustments for cash, net debt, and net working capital.


Infratil CEO, Jason Boyes, said the investment in Console Connect builds Infratil’s presence in Asia and is

complementary to its digital infrastructure investments globally, which include CDC Data Centres, One NZ,

Kao Data in the United Kingdom, and Clearvision Ventures in the US.


“Console Connect is a leading global software-defined interconnection platform, and this acquisition is a

continuation of our conviction in the tailwinds of the digital infrastructure sector. It enables us to invest in

building a next generation platform to support underlying growth in the demand for digital infrastructure

and global connectivity solutions by enterprise and wholesale users”.




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“Our partners in HKT have built a highly attractive software-defined interconnection platform over the past

several years and we look forward to investing alongside them to accelerate the growth of Console

Connect”.


HKT’s Group Managing Director, Susanna Hui, said: “Over the past few years, the team at Console Connect

has successfully developed it into a world leading platform. We are pleased to have found a like-minded

partner in Infratil who is excited about the potential opportunities to continue growing Console Connect.

Our partnership around Console Connect, investing in the platform as a standalone operation, will deliver

material benefits to the business as well as to HKT shareholders through unlocking value and further

developing economies of scale.”


Completion of the acquisition is conditional on telecommunication, foreign investment regulatory

approvals and merger approvals in Australia, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan,

Mozambique, the Netherlands, Singapore, South Africa, and the USA. Assuming those approvals are

granted, completion is currently expected by Q3 2024.


Advisors


Bank Street acted as exclusive financial advisor and Herbert Smith Freehills acted as legal counsel to Infratil.

Moelis acted as exclusive financial advisor and Gibson Dunn acted as legal counsel to HKT.


Further information


Further details of the investment in Console Connect are set out in the Investor Presentation provided to

the NZX and ASX today.


Any enquiries should be directed to:


Mark Flesher, Investor Relations, Infratil Limited mark.flesher@infratil.com





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About Console Connect


Console Connect is a platform for the software-defined interconnection of applications and infrastructures.

It allows users to self-provision private, high-performance connections among a global ecosystem of

enterprises, networks, clouds, SaaS providers, IoT providers and applications providers.


Console Connect carries ~17% of all internet traffic and reaches over 150 countries and is the only digital

platform that is underpinned by one of the world’s largest private networks and a Tier 1 global IP network

that is ranked in the top 10 for IPv4 and IPv6 peering, delivering higher levels of network performance,

speed, and security to meet the digital needs of today’s interconnected users and communities.


Accessible from 850+ data centres in 50+ countries worldwide, the platform is integrated with all major

hyperscale cloud providers, including AWS, Google Cloud, IBM Cloud, Microsoft Azure, Alibaba Cloud and

more. Through the Console Connect portal or via its API, users can access a broad range of native and third-

party solutions.


In addition, Console Connect offers a wide range of security, voice, mobility, SD-WAN, colocation and

managed network solutions that complement its Automated Services.


To learn more about Console Connect, please visit https://www.consoleconnect.com/.



About HKT


HKT is a technology, media, and telecommunication leader with more than 150 years of history in Hong

Kong. As the city’s true 5G provider, HKT connects businesses and people locally and globally. HKT’s end-

to-end enterprise solutions make it a market-leading digital transformation partner of choice for

businesses; whereas HKT’s comprehensive mobile communication and smart living offerings enrich

people‘s lives and cater for their diverse needs for work, entertainment, education, well-being, and even a

sustainable low-carbon lifestyle. Together with HKT’s digital ventures which support digital economy

development and help connect Hong Kong to the world as an international financial centre, HKT endeavours

to contribute to smart city development and help its community tech forward.


For more information, please visit www.hkt.com.

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hkt

---

Strategic investment in
Infratil investor presentation

10 July 2023

2
Transaction

Summary

Infratil has

executed a

conditional

agreement with

HKT to

accelerate the

growth of

Console Connect

through a

strategic

partnership

Transaction

summary

•Infratil has executed a conditional agreement with HKT Limited (HKT) (SEHK: 6823) to establish a strategic

partnership to accelerate the growth of HKT’s Console Connect business

•Transaction structure to align interests:

–Infratil will initially acquire an 80% stake in Console Connect for US$160m

–Console Connect business to be driven further with HKT in a joint sales and marketing effort

–Console Connect owns its Tier 1 global IP network, as well as long-term integrated access to a global

backbone network

–Accelerate Console Connect’s investments in network infrastructure and technology platform

•Infratil will ultimately own between 60-80% of Console Connect, with HKT holding the remainder

–ultimate ownership stakes will reflect the relative capital contributions of each party

•As the majority investor, Infratil will have significant governance rights and, working alongside HKT, will continue

to drive the development and growth of Console Connect

Valuation &

returns

•3.4x FY2022A revenue multiple for Console Connect’s software-defined interconnection (“SDI”) platform

•Platform expected to generate returns consistent with Infratil’s target returns of 15 –25% for development assets

Approach to

funding

•Initial Infratil consideration of US$160 million, including an earnout and subject to usual completion adjustments

for cash, net debt, and net working capital

•Strategic partnership with HKT, with both jointly investing up to US$295m in Console Connect to accelerate

growth via marketing, R&D and new subsea cable investments over a 2-year period

•Infratil’s investment will be funded through available capital and existing bank facilities

–as at6 June 2023, Infratil had total available liquidity of ~NZ$1 billion

Timing &

conditionality

•Completion of the acquisition is conditional on telecommunication, foreign investment regulatory approvals and

merger approvals

•Completion of the Console Connect investment is currently expected by Q3 2024

1

2

3

4

3
Investment

Thesis

High-performing,

reliable global

networks are

essential to

supporting an

increasingly

digitised global

economy

1

Ericsson Mobility Report November 2022;

2

Atlantic Council, Wall Street Journal;

3

TeleGeographyGlobal Bandwidth Forecast Q3 2022

•Digital network infrastructure is

increasingly important to meet

exponential growth in global data

demand

–Global data traffic expected to

increase at 18% CAGR over the

next 5 years

1

•Global subsea networks are critical

digital infrastructure, carrying over

95% of global internet traffic

2

–Subsea cable bandwidth is

expected to grow at 34% CAGR

to 2028

3

•Software-defined networking

technologies have revolutionised

network provisioning, enabling

businesses to scale and reduce costs

easily

•Significant need for a centralised

global communications platform to

optimise networking management

and provide critical connectivity

•On-demand model is a capital

efficient way to monetise unused

network capacity, significantly

improving network economics

•Clear path for Infratil to grow global

platform, driven by secular tail winds

•Thought leadership and R&D

capabilities to create and maintain

competitive differentiation as

digitisation increases and number of

use cases grow

•Potential for strategic partnerships

with Infratil’s portfolio companies

and other ecosystem players

This is an idea

that matters

Clear benefits of

growth and scale

Innovative offering with

strong value proposition

123

4
What is Console

Connect?

Integrated with Tier 1 global networkPlatform and network development

Console ConnectHKT Joint Sales & Marketing Effort

Top 3 global software-defined interconnection

(“SDI”) platform

Offer critical fibre infrastructure and IP access to

enterprises, content providers, and service

providers in partnership with HKT

Top 10 Tier 1 network globally

R&D initiatives and proprietary pipeline of

subsea cable development projects

738,000 route

kilometers

~170 cloud zones

reached

carries 17% of all

internet traffic

59+ Tbps bandwidth

capacity

900+ data centre

PoPs

70 international

cable systems

•Clear pathway to increase Console Connect’s network

capacity to meet customer demand

•Intention to partner with HKT to accelerate Console

Connect growth via network and R&D initiatives

Console Connect

is a leading

communications

service platform,

that provides

next-generation

connectivity

solutions

Underpinned by

Next-generation enterprise connectivity solution enabling

1,000+ customers to:

•Instantly self-provision private and secure connections

across a global ecosystem

•Monitor network usage in real time, purchase bandwidth

on a pay-as-you-go model, and order value-added

services via a centralised user portal

•Joint go-to-market via HKT-supported approach to

existing and new enterprise and wholesale (“E&W”)

customers

•Recurring revenue model

1

2

3

4

5
How Console

Connect Works

Next generation

connectivity

solution solving

multiple enterprise

pain points

Your office

building

Console Connect

enabled data centre

(900+ locations

worldwide)

The Console Connect solution

Through a centralised user portal:

Console Connect

platform

Connect to:

your office branches

internet exchanges

clouds

data centres

✓Monitor network usage in real time

✓Utilisebandwidth and internet access on demand

✓Order other value-added enterprise IT services all through

a centralised user portal

Providing efficiency and cost savings:

Underpinned by a

Tier 1 subsea cable

and IP network and

access to global

wireless towers and

terrestrial backhaul

IoT & mobile operators

SaaS platforms

Mobile endpoints

Console Connect
benefits from

integration with

international

network

infrastructure

6

Unique Network

Access

Console Connect’s Tier 1 Network

•Top10 Tier 1 network

globally, carrying ~17%

of all internet traffic and

reaching over 150

countries

•Integrated dense and

diverse network provides

true global coverage and

a clear point of

differentiation for

Console Connect

•Unique, network-backed

SDI platform provides

superior unit economics

738,000 route

kilometers

~170 cloud zones

reached

carries 17% of all

internet traffic

59+ Tbps

bandwidth capacity

900+ data centre

PoPs

70 international

cable systems

~50 million mobile

subscribers

1

1

Total number of mobile subscribers protected by Console Connect’sA2P Valuemaxproduct

SDI platform
Global backbone network

Owned IP network

Cable development pipeline

Substantial fibre & IP access

revenues

SDI platform

E&W customer base

Global backbone network

Owned IP & new cable

network

7

Transaction

Structure

Transaction

structure to

provide

governance and

strategic

alignment

alongside

marketing, R&D,

and network

investment

Structure &

Enterprise

Value

What we acquire nowStrategic partnershipThe vision

1

Including an earnout and subject to usual completion adjustments for cash, net debt, and net working capital;

2

Ultimate ownership stake will reflect Infratil and HKT’s

respective capital contributions, including with respect to new subsea cable development projects;

EBITDA

US$40m –US$50m

FY2025 pro forma EBITDA

Joint sales and marketing and

further investment

US$200m Enterprise Value

The leading global SDI

platform across owned cable

& IP network

IFT equity

consideration

US$160m

1

for an initial 80% stake

~US$200m –US$250m

investment in joint sales & marketing,

R&D and network development projects

~US$360m –US$410m

total IFT equity consideration

High teens IRR

(consistent with 15-25%

target returns for

development assets)

New, owned network

and long-term

integrated access to a

global network

Infratil owns a 60-80%

stake in Console

Connect

2









Console Connect is expected to be

EBITDA neutral for first 24 months


Capital deployed

across platform and in development pipeline

8
Debt Capacity

& Facilities

~NZ $1 billion of

available liquidity

post completion

of the One NZ

transaction and

the recent equity

raise

•Following completion of the One NZ

transaction and recent equity raise, Infratil

has current cash and undrawn debt facilities

of ~NZ$1 billion which can be applied to the

commitment to Console Connect

•Infratil’s gearing as at 6 July 2023 is 18.0%

2

,

which provides capacity to support growth

and development platforms in addition to

Console Connect

Debt maturity profile (NZ$m)

4

1

Available liquidity includes undrawn debt facilities and cash on hand, available liquidity also includes the proceeds from the retail raise;

2

Gearing calculated as total net

debt / total capital;

3

Market value of equity represents Infratil’s market capitalisation on the 6

th

July 2023;

4

The debt maturity profile excludes $400 million of bridge

facilities entered into for the purpose of the acquisition of One NZ and includes $85 million of debt facility upsizes

Debt Capacity & Facilities

Liquidity (NZ$m)

As at

31 March 2023

As at

6 July 2023

Net bank debt (cash)($593.2)$545.2

Infrastructure bonds$1,085.9$1,085.9

Perpetual bonds $231.9$231.9

Total net debt$724.6$1,863.0

Market value of equity $6,660.6$8,477.0

3

Total capital$7,385.2$10,340.0

Gearing

2

9.8%18.0%

Infratil undrawn bank facilities$898.4$899.8

100% subsidiaries cash$593.2$154.8

Liquidity available $1,491.6$1,054.6

122

156

164

156

102

146

123

116

232

305

390

315

275

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

FY24FY25FY26FY27FY28FY29FY30FY31>FY32

BondsBank Debt

Supplementary materials

10
Best-in-class

management team

with decades of

demonstrated

track record and

in-depth

understanding of

existing business

Management

Team

•Marc has been with the PCCW-HKT

1

Group for

the past 20 years, including 13 years as CEO of

Console Connect

•Former Chair of the Global Leaders Forum (GLF)

and the ITW Founders Council, and former

member of the Board of Governors of the

Pacific Telecommunications Council

•Director and Executive Committee member of

the Bridge Alliance, comprising 34 major

APAC/MEA wireless carriers

Marc Halbfinger

Chief Executive Officer

•Paul is the founder and CTO of Console Connect

•Prior to founding Console Connect in late 2014,

Paul was the Chief Technology Officer at NextDC

•Paul’s other executive roles include VP of Global

Engineering at Red Hat, where he held various

roles across a tenure of nearly 12 years, and

APNIC, where he managed technical operations

for nearly 4 years

Paul Gampe

Chief Technology Officer

1

PCCW acquired HKT in 2000 and retains a 52% holding in the company following its 2011 IPO;

2

Anticipated FTE composition [as at end of FY2025];

3

Primarily in Australia

and Singapore, with minor presence in Japan

Key management and staff are expected to be retained under the Infratil and HKT partnership

28%

28%

26%

18%

Sales & Marketing

Network Operations

R&D

Corporate

37%

14%

33%

17%

HK

Other APAC

EMEA

USA

3

793

FTEs

By Geography

793

FTEs

By Function

Full-time employee distribution

2

11
Enterprise Pain PointsConsole Connect Solution

Enterprises who use the public internet to connect

with CSPs often experience suboptimal

performance, costly data fees, and security risks

•A centralised platform to provision, monitor, and

bill services with all counterparties in one place

•Easy-to-use, self-service user portal that saves

IT staff’s time from email exchanges and phone

calls with each vendor

Enterprises’ connectivity needs get increasingly

complexand require managing multiple vendors

separately, but do not have the technical expertise

or resourcesto architect and manage it

•Instantly set up private, dedicated connectivity

that bypasses public internet for enhanced

security and performance

•Diverse routes between any two points of

presence for additional network resiliency

Direct interconnection with CSPs are secure and

reliable, but is expensive and time consuming to

set up (typically takes 1-3 months)

•Self-provision interconnection in minutes

between customer’s data centers and key clouds,

and between different clouds directly

•Reliable, high-performing connectivity

Typically, enterprises must commit to a fixed

bandwidth, multi-year contract for internet access

at office locations, which is expensive and inflexible

•Self-provision bandwidth in minutes

•Only pay for what you use without wasting

unused bandwidth

•Scale up or down bandwidth real time based

on business needs

Console Connect

effectively targets

and solves key

connectivity

challenges

enterprises face

today

Customer

Proposition

TermDescription
CAGR

Compound annual growth rate

CSP

Cloud Service Provider is a third-party company that provides scalable computing resources that businesses can

access on demand over a network, including cloud-based compute, storage, platform, and application services.

Example CSPs are: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, IBM Cloud, Alibaba Cloud,

Tencent Cloud, Oracle Cloud, Huawei Cloud

EBITDA

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation

IP

Internet protocol

IoT

Internet of Things, referring to a network of physical objects that are embedded with sensors, software, and

other technologies for the purpose of connecting and exchanging data over the internet

IP Transit

The exchange of Internet IP traffic where one party pays another for access to a network

IRR

Internal rate of return

PoP

Point of Presence, a physical location or access point where two or more networks or communication devices

build a connection from one place to the rest of the interne

R&D

Research and development

SDI

Software-defined interconnection. It’s a software platform that enables users to provision private, secure

connectivity anywhere and any time on-demand without deploying individual network equipment

Subsea Cable

A subsea or submarine communications cable is a cable laid on the seabed between land-based stations to

carry telecommunication signals across stretches of ocean and sea

Tbps

Terabit per second

Tier 1

Network

Tier 1 network is a network that can reach every other network on the Internet without purchasing IP transit or

paying for peering. There are only 16 Tier 1 networks in the world

Glossary

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Data sourced from publicly available filings. Our datasets may not be complete. Automated analysis can produce errors. If you believe any data on this page is incorrect, please contact us at hello@nzxplorer.co.nz. For informational purposes only. Not investment advice.