AAPT

Synopsis

A major telecoms provider, AAPT was acquired in 1999 by Telecom New Zealand as it made a $2 billion bid to break into the Australian market. The investment proved to be unsound for Telecom’s shareholders, and in recent years AATP’s financial performance has deteriorated. Its key retail division was sold to iiNet in 2010, while its remaining business and wholesale interests were sold at the end of 2013 to TPG.

Though owned by TPG, AAPT remains a separate business and manages a substantial interstate network including 11,000km of fibre, its own data centres in major capital cities, fibre access to 1,300 buildings and mid-band Ethernet in a large number of exchanges. It also has access to numerous exchanges focused on the major Australian cities and large metropolitan areas, and is a partner with NBN Access.

The company has undergone significant management changes as it struggles to revitalise its financial position, which will help TPG better absorb the company’s assets and manage its strategic position in a fast-changing market.

This company report includes key financial and operating data for FY2014, as well as an analysis on the company’s market position and its sale by Telecom to TPG.

Key developments:

DSL, Fibre, VoIP, contracts, Next Generation Networks (NGNs), cloud services, SaaS, IAAS, NBN wholesale, spectrum, SDH, free WiFi, FY2013 results and analysis, company sale by Telecom to TPG.

Companies mentioned:

Telecom New Zealand, EdgeCast, Oracle, Telstra, Optus, Nextgen, PowerTel, NBN Co, Signiant, connect.com.au.