NII Announces Strategic Alliance With Grupo Clarin In Argentina
- Grupo Clarin purchases a 49% equity interest in Nextel Argentina and an option to acquire the remaining 51% pending regulatory approvals
- Total consideration for the transaction is $178 million
RESTON, Va., Sept. 14, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- NII Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: NIHD) today announced a strategic alliance with Grupo Clarin in Argentina. In connection with the transaction, Grupo Clarin acquired a 49% equity interest in Nextel Argentina and an option to acquire the remaining 51% equity interest in Nextel Argentina upon receipt of approvals from the regulatory authorities in Argentina for total consideration of $178 million, of which $159 million was paid up front -- with the remaining amount due within 30 days. The net proceeds received from the transaction will be used to provide additional liquidity to support NII's operations in Brazil.
"The transaction with Grupo Clarin creates a promising path for the future of Nextel Argentina and its employees to compete effectively in the mobile market in Argentina," said Steve Shindler, NII's chief executive officer. "At the same time, it is consistent with our strategy to concentrate our resources on our operations in Brazil and provides incremental capital to improve our liquidity to support our business there."
Nextel Argentina will continue to be controlled and operated by NII pending the receipt of the necessary regulatory approvals.
NII Holdings was advised by Jones Day as legal advisor.