Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Saturday, November 23, 2024 73° Today's Paper


Top News

Hawaiian Telcom’s parent narrows loss in quarter

Hawaiian Telcom’s parent posted a narrower fourth- quarter loss and reiterated that its $2.9 billion sale to a subsidiary of Macquarie Infrastructure Partners remains on track to close in the first half of this year.

Cincinnati Bell reported Thursday a narrower loss of $5.6 million, or 16 cents a share, compared with a loss of $20.6 million, or 46 cents a share, in the year-earlier period.

Revenue in the quarter rose 5.1% to $410.3 million from $390.4 million in the year-earlier period.

For the year, Cincinnati Bell’s loss narrowed to $55.6 million, or $1.30 a share, from $66.6 million, or $1.53 a share, in 2019. Revenue edged up 1.5% to $1.56 billion from $1.54 billion.

Hawaiian Telcom contributed $75 million of the parent company’s revenue in the fourth quarter and $300 million for the year.

“2020 was a unique and volatile year, and I am incredibly proud of the Cincinnati Bell team and their focus to overcome the challenges resulting from COVID- 19,” Cincinnati Bell President and CEO Leigh Fox said in a statement. “Our continued investments in dense metro fiber and strategic IT solutions produced incredible results and were critical to achieving both year-over-year revenue and adjusted EBITDA growth (which grew 4% from a year ago).”

EBITDA, or earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, is a measure of a company’s overall financial performance and sometimes is used as an alternative to net income.

The Ohio company said fiber-to-the-premise activations — the installation and use of optical fiber from a central point directly to residences, apartment buildings and businesses for high-speed internet access — is now available to 38% of Hawaii, or 184,300 addresses. FTTP internet subscribers in Hawaii increased by 1,200 in the quarter to 59,800 from the previous quarter.

Cincinnati Bell’s shares fell 4 cents to $15.28 after the results were released. Cincinnati Bell shareholders, which include former shareholders of Hawaiian Telcom, will receive $15.50 a share when the deal closes with MIP, a fund managed by Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Asset. The deal was announced March 13.

As of Sept. 30, MIRA had $146.1 billion in assets under management, of which $116 billion was invested in infrastructure assets.

Cincinnati Bell has owned Hawaiian Telcom since July 2018, when it bought the Honolulu-based company for $650 million in stock and cash.

Hawaiian Telcom, which has about 1,200 employees, has been heavily investing in its fiber-optic network to provide high-speed internet as well as video services through Hawaiian Telcom TV.

By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the Terms of Service. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. Report comments if you believe they do not follow our guidelines. Having trouble with comments? Learn more here.