PR90968

LONDON, August 2, 2021 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/--

- Dense Air and TPG Telecom have agreed to acquire spectrum licenses from each

other

- Dense Air to bring its industry-leading shared neutral host solution to the

Australian market and partner with cities and service providers to build shared

wireless networks that advance broadband equity and improve carrier economics

Dense Air Limited ("Dense Air") is pleased to announce that it has agreed with

TPG Telecom Limited, to purchase TPG Telecom's 2.6 GHz nationwide spectrum

supplementing Dense Air's existing spectrum licenses and enabling Dense Air to

work with Australian service providers and cities to build shared 4G and 5G

wireless networks that close digital divides and ensure ubiquitous

future-proofed connectivity. These first-of-their-kind shared networks will

accelerate equitable digital access for cities and communities across

Australia, benefiting consumers, network operators, and enterprises. The

transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals. Dense Air would

acquire TPG Telecom's 2.6 GHz nationwide spectrum and also sell to TPG Telecom

Dense Air's 3.6 GHz city licenses. Dense Air, which recently acquired 5G mmWave

spectrum in the ACMA auction, will use this spectrum in combination with its

market-leading neutral host RAN-as-a-Service technology to build shared

wireless networks that accelerate contiguous connectivity and extend and

enhance the networks of carrier partners. Post the transaction, Dense Air and

TPG Telecom look forward to exploring opportunities to use Dense Air's

RAN-as-a-service technology solution in the Australian market. Dense Air

builds, owns, and operates 4G and 5G "small cell" networks that enhance and

extend the traditional "macro" networks built by telecom companies. The global

firm, with operations in Australia, Belgium, Ireland, New Zealand, Portugal,

and the United Kingdom, partners with cities and carriers through

public-private partnerships to build city-wide networks that ensure equitable

wireless connectivity on shared and licensed spectrum. Small cells, deployed by

Dense Air on street lights, traffic lights, or rooftops, provide cellular

coverage that extends hundreds or thousands of feet rather than the miles

covered by macro cells, delivering higher capacity and lower latency to the end

user. Small cells complement macro cells by easing network congestion and

reaching areas where services deteriorate, providing the building blocks for

deploying high-speed 4G and 5G networks. The 2.6 GHz band license to be

acquired from TPG Telecom, combined with the 5G mmWave spectrum license Dense

Air recently acquired in an ACMA auction, gives the company a platform to offer

both 4G and 5G network densification and extension services across Australia.

This deal also opens the door for new business models and deployment

partnerships. For the consumer, it means faster, more efficient 5G access.

Expanding consumer access to reliable broadband allows more Australians to

benefit from the digital transformation in education, commerce, and community

services. Those with lower levels of income, employment, and education are most

at risk of digital exclusion.

In Australia's urban centres, Dense Air will focus on in-building neutral host

solutions, private 4G and 5G networks, and outdoor network densification. In

suburban and rural areas, Dense Air will focus on network extension to help all

communities benefit from modern necessities like borderless classrooms, remote

learning, assisted living, community working hubs, and connected

infrastructure.

Paul Senior, CEO of Dense Air said, "We are very pleased to announce the

agreement to acquire spectrum from TPG Telecom, which we reached despite the

challenges of the global COVID-19 pandemic. This spectrum, along with our other

holdings, will allow Dense Air to bring its unique 'RAN-as-a-Service' business

model to Australia and enable us to empower cities and communities to build

shared neutral host networks that close the digital divide and benefit

operators and consumers alike."

About the transaction:

The transaction involves subsidiaries of TPG Telecom and Dense Air Limited

entering into an agreement under which TPG Telecom will sell its 2.6 GHz

spectrum band licenses to Dense Air Networks Australia. In a separate

agreement, a wholly owned subsidiary of TPG Telecom will acquire all the shares

of an Australian subsidiary of Dense Air Limited, which holds 3.6 GHz spectrum

licenses acquired at auction in 2018.

The agreements for both the 3.6 GHz spectrum transaction and the 2.6 GHz

spectrum transaction are subject to conditions precedent, including that the

two transactions are completed concurrently, and receive approval by the

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. Following satisfaction of the

conditions, the transactions are expected to complete in September 2021.

About Dense Air:

Dense Air, headquartered in London, UK, has spectrum assets in Ireland,

Belgium, Portugal, New Zealand and Australia. Focusing on mobile and fixed

broadband services, Dense Air builds innovative public-private partnerships

with cities to solve connectivity challenges and works with existing network

operators to densify and/or extend mobile networks. Dense Air provides a unique

carrier of carriers neutral host small cell service, supporting multiple

operators through a single RAN infrastructure on clean, licensed spectrum.

Working closely with operators and municipalities, Dense Air delivers

cost-effective 4G and 5G solutions to support a range of use cases, including

enhanced mobile broadband, IoT, public safety, first responder networks, and

remote learning.

Source: Dense Air