<div>For those that aren't subscribers to AFR (I'm not either!), here is a story about NextGen and potentially Vocus being involved.</div><div><br></div><div>If Vocus were, I'd say HELL YES! and it would be an awesome fit, give them new DC's and make them an awesome player. Yes, everyone knows I'm a fan of Vocus, a lot of us in the Service Provider game are... and it would be amazing to see Vocus rise to this level.</div>
<div><br></div><div>I'm really NOT a fan of TPG having both Pipe Networks and NextGen (as someone who designs infrastructure). The same reason goes for Telstra and Optus not having it. Maybe the ACCC would stop TPG buying it as well (let's hope).</div>
<div><br></div><div>I've heard a few things at different events in the last couple of weeks. Apparently Level 3 are no longer interested - too expensive for what it is.</div><div><br></div><div>I've also heard that the price that Leightons wants to these assets seem to be way more than what people are prepared to pay.</div>
<div><br></div><div>...Skeeve</div><div><br></div><div>---</div><div><br></div><div>From the AFR: (<a href="http://www.afr.com/p/opinion/mixed_bag_of_contenders_mulls_leighton_DaVoj8N1t22wY0436jXHnI">http://www.afr.com/p/opinion/mixed_bag_of_contenders_mulls_leighton_DaVoj8N1t22wY0436jXHnI</a>)</div>
<div><br></div><div><div><b>Mixed bag of contenders mulls Leighton assets</b></div><div><br></div><div>PUBLISHED: 16 Nov 2012 PRINT EDITION: 16 Nov 2012</div><div><br></div><div>Edited by Sarah Thompson and Anthony Macdonald</div>
<div><br></div><div>As the sale process for Leighton Holding’s telecommunications assets inches forward, there is no shortage of theories on what kind of deal might emerge.</div><div><br></div><div>Leighton has engaged Macquarie Capital to explore the sale of its fibre network owner NextGen, managed services provider Infoplex and data centre business Metronode. Indicative bids are due by the end of next week.</div>
<div><br></div><div>The latest unlikely company to be thought to be involved is Vocus Communications. With a market capitalisation south of $130 million, it seems very hopeful. It would clearly need a bigger partner to fund any tilt at the assets, which analysts say could fetch as much as $1 billion.</div>
<div><br></div><div>Would a private equity buyer be able to shore up funding amid a weak macro-economic outlook and the politically precarious state of the national broadband network?</div><div><br></div><div>Only time will tell but it seems safe to say that Vocus is a name to keep an eye on. The small-cap data centre provider is among a range of domestic telcos and international private equity firms that was handed an information memorandum last month.</div>
<div><br></div><div>Vocus would bring local expertise to the table in any partnership with an offshore buyer, and its management has high ambitions.</div><div><br></div><div>Its shares have outperformed the broader market, rising about 22 per cent in 2012. Yesterday, Perpetual increased its stake to 8.6 per cent.</div>
<div><br></div><div>For Leighton, a successful sale before Christmas could alleviate pressures on its balance sheet amid lingering concerns over further write-downs.</div><div><br></div><div>TPG Telecom remains the most plausible buyer given its strong balance sheet, acquisitive owner David Teoh and the fact that NextGen would complement its existing fibre backhaul footprint.</div>
<div><br></div><div>iiNet will mull over a potential bid at a board meeting next week but is still considered a long shot. Telstra and Optus could consider Infoplex and Metronode but would likely be blocked by the competition regulator in any move for NextGen.</div>
<div><br></div><div>The Australian Financial Review</div></div><div>-----</div><br clear="all"><div><font face="Calibri"><b><br><br></b></font></div><div><b style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:13px">Skeeve Stevens, CEO - </b><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:13px">eintellego Pty Ltd</span></div>
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