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TSTT To Acquire Competitor Massy Communications for TT$255M

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The Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) has announced their acquisition of Massy Communications, seeking to capitalize on the synergies of both companies.

Emile Elias, Chairman of TSTT, the country’s largest telecommunications provider reported that a signed Share Purchase Agreement to acquire the 100% shareholding of Massy Communications Ltd for $255 million was executed and brings an additional 34,000 homes and a Fibre to the Home system to TSTT.

The agreement includes all of Massy Communications infrastructure relating to its Enterprise and Consumer networks, all existing Enterprise and Retail customers and the entire operational and business support systems.
Massy Communications is part of the wider Massy Holdings Group under The Information Technology & Communications Business Units (ITCBU) – Consumer Broadband/IPTV.

Massy Communications chairman Fenwick Reid, said the company invested TT$213 million in its cable layout, but it was off-­loading it because there were too many players in the market. This now means there is one less player in the cable market in Trinidad and Tobago, which includes Cable and Wireless’s Flow, TSTT’s blink and Digicel Play

According to Mr. Reid, “TSTT will take it where the business needs to go. Given the competitive landscape for high-speed broadband and TV services in Trinidad and the intense capital costs of deploying fibre optic networks, some industry participants have been seeking collaborative ways to avoid duplicative capital expenditure”.

Since 2006, Massy Communications, formerly Three Sixty Communications, has been building out its telecommunications network and expanding its services; to currently offer a range of services which include:

– Fibre Optic (FTTH) Infrastructure deployment which is utilised to deliver High Speed Internet and IPTV to residential and SME customers.
– Dedicated Internet/IP transit
– Clear Channel Domestic/ Metro Ethernet and International Private Lines
– International Wholesale Termination and Enterprise Voice Solutions

In March 2016, they successfully launched Massy Internet | TV, (IPTV) providing both internet and TV to residential subscribers.
Despite the delayed launch, they completed Phase 1 of the project which involved extending the fibre-based network to a number of communities across Trinidad and Tobago.

The financial performance of the ITCBU was reported to have been negatively impacted by costs incurred in the start-up of the Massy Internet | TV (IPTV) project.

A significant element of TSTT’s current strategic plan involves the deployment of both wired and wireless high-speed broadband internet capabilities, throughout the entire nation. This includes investment in fibre optic solutions together with the associated technological infrastructure and systems.

In 2016, TSTT secured $1.9B in financing to create a Fibre to the Home (FTTH) solution throughout all of Trinidad and Tobago, including areas where Massy had already built out a robust network.

The acquisition of Massy Communication is expected to accelerate TSTT’s deployment of its next generation network and facilitate the opportunity to immediately deliver a new suite of products and services to existing customers.

TSTT chairman Emile Elias warned other competitors should view the move “with terror”. “I hope they are terrified, as they should be. We are aggressively pursuing our agenda,” he said. BM

Footnote

Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago Limited is jointly owned by National Enterprises Limited (NEL) which in turn is majority owned by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, and Cable & Wireless (West Indies) Limited, (C&W). NEL owns 51% of TSTT’s issued share capital, while C&W holds 49%. TSTT is the country’s largest provider of communications solutions to the residential and commercial markets and its leading edge products are designed around its IP-based core infrastructure and marketed under its BLINK and Bmobile brands.

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Higher Operating Costs And Margin Pressures Impacted Main Event’s Overall Q1 Profitability.

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Entering 2025 with a strategic focus on expanding revenue streams, strengthening client relationships, and maintaining financial discipline, the Company achieved revenue growth.
However, higher operating costs and margin pressures impacted overall profitability.

The Company reported revenues of $585.03M, representing a 3% or $17.28M increase over the $567.75M recorded in Q1 2024. This growth was primarily driven by a significant increase in revenue contribution from a previously underperforming segment, reflecting the success of targeted expansion efforts. While revenue remains below prior peak levels, the Company continues to recalibrate and drive demand through expanded service offerings and strengthened client engagements.

Gross profit for the quarter stood at $301.67M, reflecting a 4% decline from $315.82M in Q1 2024. This decline resulted from higher direct costs associated with event execution, infrastructure upgrades, additional non-recurring costs incurred during the period, and increased labour costs related to service delivery. Consequently, the gross margin contracted to 51.56% from 55.63% in the prior year. The Company remains focused on managing costs effectively to support long-term profitability.

Operating expenses increased to $218.72M, up 7.5% from $206.35M in Q1 2024. This rise was attributed to planned administrative enhancements, a significant one-off expenditure for the Company’s 20th Anniversary celebration, higher personnel costs, increased security and fuel expenses, and a 51% increase in amortisation expenses to $11.36M due to renegotiated lease agreements and the addition of a new lease.

Operating profit stood at $87.48M, a 24% decline from $115.28M in Q1 2024. Increased finance costs, stemming from renegotiated lease agreements and new lease additions, also impacted results.
Net profit for the quarter amounted to $73.67M, a 27% decrease from $100.25M in Q1 2024, influenced by lower gross margins, increased operational costs, and higher impairment charges. As a result, earnings per share (EPS) fell from $0.33 in Q1 2024 to $0.25 in Q1 2025.

Total assets grew by 6.4%, reaching $1,306.01M, up from $1,227.37M in Q1 2024. This increase was primarily driven by a 53% rise in receivables, reflecting expanded customer engagements, with several balances stemming from events executed near the period’s end. Short-term deposits increased to $250.24M from $236.50M, while cash and bank balances declined by 30% to $131.74M from $188.91M due to timing differences in collections and reinvestments.

Shareholders’ equity strengthened to $956.17M, reflecting a 5% increase over $912.66M in Q1 2024. This growth was primarily supported by retained earnings, demonstrating the Company’s ability to generate and reinvest profits efficiently.

Payables increased by 47%, rising to $229.58M from $156.38M in Q1 2024, mainly due to the timing of event executions towards the end of the quarter, resulting in higher accrued expenses related to supplier payments.

While the macroeconomic environment remains uncertain, the Company remains optimistic about the upcoming quarters. The focus will be on enhancing operational efficiencies to manage cost structures effectively and strengthening revenue streams through deeper market penetration and strategic partnerships. Additionally, the Company intends to use owned-events as a driver of revenue growth.
Our continued success is a testament to the dedication, creativity, and resilience of our exceptional team. Their ability to adapt and innovate in a dynamic industry ensures that we consistently exceed expectations and deliver outstanding experiences. Their dedication was especially evident during the holiday period, where they worked tirelessly to execute high-quality events, ensuring continued excellence in service delivery. We also recognise and appreciate the unwavering guidance of our Board; whose strategic leadership continues to drive our company’s growth and long-term vision.

Solomon Sharpe Chief Executive Officer

For More Information on Main Event Entertainment Group Limited (MEEG) Unaudited Results, Q1 – Three Months Ended January 31, 2025 (Revised) Click Here

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