Private equity firm TPG Capital is exploring a sale of its three US-based regional ISPs, Wave Broadband, RCN Telecom and Grande Communications, Reuters reports, citing people familiar with the matter. The stakes in the three telcos are understood to be owned via holding company Astound, and the combined businesses are valued at around USD8 billion, including debt. As per the report, TPG has hired Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan Chase & Co to advise on the sale process.
TeleGeography notes that TPG entered into definitive agreements to acquire RCN (USD1.6 billion) and its sister company Grande Communications Networks (USD650 million) through separate transactions back in August 2016. In January 2018 TPG closed the previously announced USD2.375 billion acquisition of Washington-based Wave Broadband. Although the three businesses have not been formally merged, TPG says that, collectively, they represent the sixth largest cableco in the US.
TPG agreed to acquire a fourth company, EnTouch Systems, in February 2020, although this unit is not namechecked in the Reuters report.