NEW YORK, May 11, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Melody Investment Advisors ("Melody"), an alternative asset manager focused on communications infrastructure, today announced the acquisition of 90% of Uniti Towers, the wireless tower business of real estate investment trust Uniti Group Inc. ("Uniti") (NASDAQ: UNIT). The purchase totals approximately $220 million in cash and includes over 500 towers based in the U.S.   Melody Investment Advisors will fund the purchase from Melody Communications Infrastructure Fund II.

Through an investment in an affiliate of Melody, Uniti will retain a 10% investment interest in the tower business and will receive an incremental earnout from Melody for each additional pipeline tower completed in 2020.  In addition, as part of the transaction, Melody and Uniti will enter into a strategic relationship to collaborate on integrated solutions for wireless carriers requiring towers, fiber and small cells infrastructure.  The transaction is subject to various closing conditions and is expected to close by the end of second quarter 2020. 

The acquisition enhances Melody's position as a leading owner and operator of wireless infrastructure assets.  With the addition of Uniti's towers, Melody and its affiliates now own and market more than 4,000 towers, ground leases and structure and rooftop leases, including pipeline sites.  Melody and its affiliates are a top five independent owner of national wireless infrastructure assets and one of the largest privately owned telecom landowners in the U.S. 

"As the transition to 5G continues, communications infrastructure is one of the fastest growing, most stable and critical segments of the economy.  We are excited about the addition of these towers to our expanding portfolio and the benefits they will bring both to our carrier partners and to our investors," said Omar Jaffrey, Managing Partner and Founder of Melody Investment Advisors.  "We look forward to working with Uniti as we continue to grow and invest in our wireless infrastructure platform while seeking further growth through acquisitions." 

"We are pleased to continue to grow our asset portfolio," said Chester Dawes, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Melody Investment Advisors.  "We are well-funded and positioned to capitalize on further tower builds, acquisitions and financing solutions in our sectors."  

Melody Investment Advisors focuses on communications infrastructure transactions ranging from $50 million to $1 billion or more.  Melody's investment focus includes telecom easements, wireless towers, data centers, fiber optics and other mission critical parts of communications infrastructure. 

About Melody Investment Advisors
Melody Investment Advisors is an alternative asset manager focused on communications infrastructure.  The firm invests directly in assets and also seeks to provide innovative financing solutions to complex problems for leading global communications companies.  Together with its affiliates, the Melody team has deployed over $1 billion in capital in this sector over the past six years.  To learn more about Melody Investment Advisors, visit https://www.melodyinvestmentadvisors.com/

About Uniti
Uniti, an internally managed real estate investment trust, is engaged in the acquisition and construction of mission critical communications infrastructure, and is a leading provider of wireless infrastructure solutions for the communications industry.  As of March 31, 2020, Uniti owns 6.3 million fiber strand miles, approximately 700 wireless towers, and other communications real estate throughout the United States.  Additional information about Uniti can be found on its website at www.uniti.com.

SOURCE Melody Investment Advisors

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