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Deutsche Telekom improves terms of MetroPCS offer
2013-04-11 08:46:00| Telecompaper Headlines
(Telecompaper) Deutsche Telekom has improved the terms of its offer for US Mobile operator MetroPCS, in the hope of winning over shareholders before the upcoming vote on the deal. Under the terms of the existing agreement, T-Mobile USA would be contributed to the combined company with MetroPCS carrying shareholder loans of USD 15 billion. In its improved offer, Deutsche Telekom will reduce these loans by USD 3.8 billion to USD 11.2 billion, increasing the equity value of the combined company. Deutsche Telekom will also reduce the interest rate on the USD 11.2 billion of shareholder loans by 50 basis points. This lower rate reflects the new capital structure of the combined company, the improved capital markets environment in recent months, and the interest rate level of MetroPCS newly issued USD 3.5 billion of bonds priced in March, the company said. The lock-up period during which Deutsche Telekom is prohibited from publicly selling shares in the combined company has also been extended by 12 months to 18 months following close of the merger. The improved terms answer a concern among MetroPCS shareholders that the new company would be carrying too much debt. The cash element of the deal remains USD 1.5 billion to existing MetroPCS shareholders, who will hold 26 percent in the new company. As Deutsche Telekom will fully consolidate the merged company, the change in the capital structure has no impact on its leverage.
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Category:Telecommunications