Q4 2025 American Tower Corp Earnings Call

February 24, 2026

Speaker #1: Following the prepared remarks, we will open the call for questions. If you'd like to ask a question, please press *11 on your telephone. You will then hear an automated message advising your hand is raised.

Speaker #1: I would now like to turn the call over to your host, Spencer Kurn, SVP of Investor Relations. Please go ahead.

Speaker #2: Thank you, and good morning. Welcome to our 4th Quarter 2025 Earnings Call. I'm Spencer Kurn, Head of Investor Relations for American Tower. Joining me on the call today are Steve Vondran, our President and CEO, and Rod Smith, our Executive Vice President, CFO, and Treasurer.

Spencer Kurn: Thank you. Good morning. Welcome to our Q4 2025 Earnings Call. I'm Spencer Kurn, Head of Investor Relations for American Tower. Joining me on the call today are Steven Vondran, our President and CEO, and Rodney Smith, our Executive Vice President, CFO, and Treasurer. Following our prepared remarks, we will open the call for your questions. Before we begin, I need to call your attention to our safe harbor statement. It says that some of our comments today may be forward-looking. As such, they are subject to risks and uncertainties described in American Tower SEC filings, and results may differ materially. Additional information is available on our investor relations website. With that, I'll turn the call over to Steve.

Speaker #2: Following our prepared remarks, we will open the call for your questions. Before we begin, I need to call your attention to our Safe Harbor Statement.

Speaker #2: It says that some of our comments today may be forward-looking. As such, they are subject to risks and uncertainties described in American Tower SEC filings, and results may differ materially.

Speaker #2: Additional information is available on our Investor Relations website. With that, I'll turn the call over to Steve.

Speaker #3: Thanks, Spencer. Good morning, everyone. Thanks for joining today's call. As you can see from our published results, we had a great year and an excellent 4th Quarter.

Steven Vondran: Thanks, Spencer. Good morning, everyone. Thanks for joining today's call. As you can see from our published results, we had a great year and an excellent Q4. For the full year, we delivered attributable AFFO per share as adjusted growth of 8%, including over 13% growth in the Q4. These results were underpinned by robust leasing demand across our tower and data center businesses and strong execution against our strategy. Over the past year, we've taken meaningful steps to improve our earnings quality and durability. We've steered capital toward developed markets, globalized and simplified our operations, and brought leverage back down to our target range. These actions put us on strong footing to capitalize on future growth opportunities and deliver on our goal of industry-leading AFFO per share growth.

Speaker #3: For the full year, we delivered attributable AFFO per shares adjusted growth of 8%, including over 13% growth in the 4th Quarter. These results were underpinned by robust leasing demand across our tower and data center businesses, and strong execution against our strategy.

Speaker #3: Over the past year, we've taken meaningful steps to improve our earnings quality and durability. We've steered capital toward developed markets, globalized and simplified our operations, and brought leverage back down to our target range.

Speaker #3: These actions put us on strong footing to capitalize on future growth opportunities and deliver on our goal of industry-leading AFFO per share growth. Before turning the call over to Rod to review our detailed financial results in 2026 outlook, I'd like to spend a few minutes discussing our key priorities for 2026 as outlined on Slide 5 of our Earnings Presentation.

Steven Vondran: Before turning the call over to Rod to review our detailed financial results in 2026 outlook, I'd like to spend a few minutes discussing our key priorities for 2026, as outlined on slide 5 of our earnings presentation. First, driving durable revenue growth. The backbone of our revenue growth is mobile data consumption, which continues to grow rapidly alongside growth in mobile customers, 5G adoption, and Fixed Wireless Access. This secular demand growth is expected to require a doubling in wireless network capacity between now and 2030. On top of this, with trillions of dollars being deployed into AI, it's likely that new AI applications will propel mobile data consumption even higher and require greater bandwidth, lower latency, and more uplink capacity than today's typical usage.

Speaker #3: First, driving durable revenue growth. The backbone of our revenue growth is mobile data consumption, which continues to grow rapidly alongside growth in mobile customers, 5G adoption, and fixed wireless access.

Speaker #3: This secular demand growth is expected to require a doubling in wireless network capacity between now and 2030. On top of this, with trillions of dollars being deployed into AI, it's likely that new AI applications will propel mobile data consumption even higher, and require greater bandwidth, lower latency, and more uplink capacity than today's typical usage.

Speaker #3: In our largest tower market, the U.S., carriers are in the middle stages of the 5G cycle where they've broadly completed their initial 5G coverage-oriented activity and are shifting toward capacity-oriented activity.

Steven Vondran: In our largest tower market, the US, carriers are in the middle stages of the 5G cycle, where they've broadly completed their initial 5G coverage-oriented activity and are shifting toward capacity-oriented activity. We anticipate carriers will densify their networks, not only to meet the capacity demands of 5G, but also to plan ahead for the 6G cycle. We're excited about the 800 MHz of higher frequency spectrum that's been earmarked for 6G and believe its deployment will drive significant activity on towers. As carriers invest in this capacity, we expect our US portfolio to deliver durable, long-term, mid-single-digit organic growth. As you saw in our Form 8-K from January, Dish has defaulted on its payment obligations. We continue to pursue legal action to recover the value of its remaining lease obligations.

Speaker #3: We anticipate carriers will densify their networks not only to meet the capacity demands of 5G, but also to plan ahead for the 6G cycle.

Speaker #3: We're excited about the 800 MHz of higher frequency spectrum that's been earmarked for 6G, and believe its deployment will drive significant activity on towers.

Speaker #3: As carriers invest in this capacity, we expect our U.S. portfolio to deliver durable, long-term, mid-single-digit organic growth. As you saw in our AK forum from January, this is defaulted on its payment obligations.

Speaker #3: We continue to pursue legal action to recover the value of its remaining lease obligations, and while DISH's default negatively impacts our 2026 outlook, in the long run, we expect our business to benefit from a healthier, well-capitalized customer base that can invest more heavily in their mobile networks.

Steven Vondran: While Dish's default negatively impacts our 2026 outlook, in the long run, we expect our business to benefit from a healthier, well-capitalized customer base that can invest more heavily in their mobile networks. Internationally, we see parallel trends of rising data consumption driving durable network investment. In our European market, 5G progress lags slightly behind the US, and strong demand for new sites is prompting exciting levels of new build activity with top-tier carriers. In our emerging markets, 4G-related activity continues to dominate, but we see increasing levels of 5G rollouts in key metros with significant runway for growth. We continue to expect our international tower portfolio to deliver faster organic growth in the US as our less mature portfolios lease up over time.

Speaker #3: Internationally, we see parallel trends of rising data consumption driving durable network investment. In our European markets, 5G progress lags slightly behind the U.S., and strong demand for new sites is prompting exciting levels of new build activity with top-tier carriers.

Speaker #3: In our emerging markets, 4G-related activity continues to dominate, but we see increasing levels of 5G rollouts in key metros, with significant runway for growth.

Speaker #3: We continue to expect our international tower portfolio to deliver faster organic growth in the U.S., as our less mature portfolios lease up over time.

Speaker #3: In our data center business, strong demand for hybrid and multi-cloud deployments and positive pricing actions continue to yield impressive double-digit growth. Demand for AI-related use cases, like inferencing and machine learning, is driving an increasing portion of new leasing, and core sites' AI-ready platform is equipped to accommodate these higher-density, interconnection-heavy workloads within its existing cost structure.

Steven Vondran: In our data center business, strong demand for hybrid and multi-cloud deployments and positive pricing actions continue to yield impressive double-digit growth. Demand for AI-related use cases, like inferencing and machine learning, is driving an increasing portion of new leasing, and CoreSite's AI-ready platform is equipped to accommodate these higher density, interconnection-heavy workloads within its existing cost structure. CoreSite is also benefiting from sustained migration of enterprise IT infrastructure from on-premises to interconnection-rich colocation facilities. These powerful demand trends, combined with our unique interconnection-oriented infrastructure, continue to support CoreSite's achievement of mid-teens or higher stabilized yields on new data center deployments. Our second priority is operational efficiency. This has long been a key operating principle at American Tower. Over the past three years, we've worked diligently to improve our cost structure by centrally aligning our regional groups, divesting non-core business units, and automating leasing transactions.

Speaker #3: CoreSite is also benefiting from sustained migration of enterprise IT infrastructure from on-premises to interconnection-rich colocation facilities. These powerful demand trends, combined with our unique interconnection-oriented infrastructure, continue to support CoreSite's achievement of mid-teens or higher stabilized yields on new data center deployments.

Speaker #3: Our second priority is operational efficiency. This has long been a key operating principle at American Tower. Over the past three years, we've worked diligently to improve our cost structure by centrally aligning our regional groups, divesting non-core business units, and automating leasing transactions.

Speaker #3: These initiatives have helped deliver over 300 basis points of cash EBITDA margin expansion across our global tower portfolio since 2022. And today, we have the highest like-for-like tower cash EBITDA margins amongst our peer group.

Steven Vondran: These initiatives have helped deliver over 300 basis points of Cash EBITDA margin expansion across our global tower portfolio since 2022. Today, we have the highest like-to-like tower Cash EBITDA margins amongst our peer group. The bulk of our recent cost efficiency efforts have focused on reducing SG&A, which, for our tower business, is best in class at approximately 4.5% of revenue. With the creation of our global COO position last year, we've undergone an extensive review of the direct costs within our tower business in an effort to bend our cost curve and grow direct expenses at a slower rate than revenue. We've identified four key areas of expense savings across our global tower portfolio. First, managing land expense, which is our most significant direct cost, by expanding our highly successful US-based land optimization program to other markets.

Speaker #3: The bulk of our recent cost efficiency efforts have focused on reducing SG&A, which for our tower business is best in class at approximately 4.5% of revenue.

Speaker #3: With the creation of our global COO position last year, we've undergone an extensive review of the direct costs within our tower business in an effort to bend our cost curve and grow direct expenses at a slower rate than revenue.

Speaker #3: We've identified four key areas of expense savings across our global tower portfolio. First, managing land expense, which is our most significant direct cost, by expanding our highly successful U.S.-based land optimization program to other markets.

Speaker #3: Second, implementing a global unified sourcing and supply chain to enable economies of scale. Game pricing advantages and improve inventory management. Third, accelerating the adoption of our well-developed standard of care for U.S.

Steven Vondran: Second, implementing a global unified sourcing and supply chain to enable economies of scale, gain pricing advantages, and improve inventory management. Third, accelerating the adoption of our well-developed standard of care for US assets across our global portfolio to improve repair and maintenance costs. Fourth, simplifying and standardizing internal technology platforms to optimize customer service and accelerate automation. We expect these new initiatives, in conjunction with continued strong conversion rates, to drive 200 to 300 basis points of tower Cash EBITDA margin expansion over the next five years. On top of this, we're investing in AI to accelerate efficiency gains even further. While we're still in the early stages of AI adoption, we expect AI use cases to target process automation, predictive maintenance, power and utility management, and workflow optimization. We look forward to updating you on our AI endeavors and accelerated efficiency targets in the future.

Speaker #3: assets across our global portfolio to improve repair and maintenance costs. And fourth, simplifying and standardizing internal technology platforms to optimize customer service and accelerate automation.

Speaker #3: We expect these new initiatives in conjunction with continued strong conversion rates to drive 200 to 300 basis points of tower cash EBITDA margin expansion over the next five years.

Speaker #3: On top of this, we're investing in AI to accelerate efficiency gains even further. While we're still in the early stages of AI adoption, we expect AI use cases to target process automation, predictive maintenance, power and utility management, and workflow optimization.

Speaker #3: We look forward to updating you on our AI endeavors and accelerated efficiency targets in the future. Moving to our last priority for the year, capital allocation.

Steven Vondran: Moving to our last priority for the year, capital allocation. We remain disciplined stewards of capital and strive to generate durable cash flow growth with high returns on invested capital. Now that we're back within our target leverage range, we have significant flexibility. After funding our dividend, we will opportunistically assess the best uses of our capital among internal CapEx, M&A, share repurchases, and further delevering. This year, we plan to deploy the vast majority of growth CapEx to our developed tower markets and CoreSite, and we'll continue to manage our global portfolio in ways that accelerate growth and reduce volatility. Before turning the call over to Rod Smith to discuss our 2025 results and 2026 outlook, I'd like to thank our incredible employees for delivering another excellent year.

Speaker #3: We remain disciplined stewards of capital and strive to generate durable cash flow growth with high returns on invested capital. Now that we're back within our target leverage range, we have significant flexibility.

Speaker #3: After funding our dividend, we will opportunistically assess the best uses of our capital among internal CapEx, M&A, share repurchases, and further delivering. This year, we plan to deploy the vast majority of growth CapEx to our developed tower markets and core site, and will continue to manage our global portfolio in ways that accelerate growth and reduce volatility.

Speaker #3: Before turning the call over to Rod to discuss our 2025 results and 2026 outlook, I'd like to thank our incredible employees for delivering another excellent year.

Speaker #3: We've established a best-in-class platform for capitalizing on strong industry demand drivers, and I'm confident that we're well positioned to execute our 2026 priorities and drive accelerating, durable growth in a 2027 and beyond.

Steven Vondran: We've established a best-in-class platform for capitalizing on strong industry demand drivers, I'm confident that we're well positioned to execute our 2026 priorities and drive accelerating durable growth into 2027 and beyond. Rod, over to you.

Speaker #3: Rod, over to you.

Speaker #4: Thanks, Steve, and thank you all for joining the call. I'll start by walking you through our 2025 highlights and then share our 2026 outlook.

Rodney Smith: Thanks, Steve. Thank you all for joining the call. I'll start by walking you through our 2025 highlights and then share our 2026 outlook. Slide 7 shows a snapshot of our full year highlights. Consolidated property revenue grew approximately 4% year-over-year, and approximately 5% when excluding non-cash straight-line and FX impacts. Our growth was primarily driven by Organic Tenant Billings growth of approximately 5% and complemented by data center revenue growth of approximately 14%. Adjusted EBITDA grew approximately 5% year-over-year and approximately 7%, excluding non-cash net straight-line and FX impacts. Property revenue growth was magnified by record services contribution and disciplined cost management, resulting in 20 basis points of consolidated margin expansion.

Speaker #4: Slide 7 shows a snapshot of our full-year highlights, consolidated property revenue grew approximately 4% year over year, and approximately 5% when excluding non-cash straight-line and FX impacts.

Speaker #4: Our growth was primarily driven by organic tenant billings growth of approximately 5%, and complemented by data center revenue growth of approximately 14%. Adjusted EBITDA grew approximately 5% year over year, and approximately 7% excluding non-cash net straight-line and FX impacts.

Speaker #4: Property revenue growth was magnified by record services contribution and disciplined cost management, resulting in 20 basis points of consolidated margin expansion. Attributable AFFO per share as adjusted grew approximately 8% year over year, firmly within our long-term range of mid to high single digits.

Rodney Smith: Attributable AFFO per share, as adjusted, grew approximately 8% year-over-year, firmly within our long-term range of mid to high single digits. This growth was supported by strong conversion of adjusted EBITDA growth and management of below-the-line costs. Excluding refinancing headwinds of approximately 1% and normalized for FX impacts, AFFO per share, as adjusted, grew approximately 9% year-over-year, demonstrating the underlying strength of our business model. Finally, on the capital allocation front, we brought leverage back down into our target range of 3x to 5x, and we ended the year at 4.9x. Also, in Q4, we repurchased approximately $365 million of American Tower common stock, our largest quarterly and annual buyback since 2017. We've continued to repurchase stock in 2026, buying back approximately $53 million year to date.

Speaker #4: This growth was supported by strong conversion of adjusted EBITDA growth and management of below-the-line costs. Excluding refinancing headwinds of approximately 1% and normalized for FX impacts, AFFO per share as adjusted grew approximately 9% year over year, demonstrating the underlying strength of our business model.

Speaker #4: Finally, on the capital allocation front, we brought leverage back down into our target range of 3 to 5 times, and we ended the year at 4.9 times.

Speaker #4: Also in the fourth quarter, we repurchased approximately 365 million dollars of American Tower Common stock, our largest quarterly, in annual buybacks since 2017. We've continued to repurchase stock in 2026, buying back approximately 53 million dollars year to date.

Speaker #4: Now let's turn to our full-year 2026 outlook, starting with organic tenant billings growth on slide 8. As Steve mentioned, DISH failed to meet its payment obligation and is in default.

Rodney Smith: Now let's turn to our full year 2026 outlook, starting with organic tenant billings growth on slide 8. As Steve mentioned, DISH failed to meet its payment obligation and is in default. This did not impact our 2025 financials, and for the full year, 2025, DISH represented approximately 2% of consolidated property revenue and approximately 4% of US and Canada property revenue. In order to reset true run rate expectations for the US and Canada, 100% of DISH's revenue was removed from organic growth beginning on 1 January and reflected in churn. Any payments collected from DISH subsequent to year-end 2025 will be reflected in other non-run rate revenue. For 2026, we expect consolidated organic tenant billings growth of approximately 1% or approximately 4% excluding DISH churn.

Speaker #4: This did not impact our 2025 financials and for the full year, 2025, DISH represented approximately 2% of consolidated property revenue and approximately 4% of U.S.

Speaker #4: and Canada property revenue. In order to reset true run rate, expectations for the U.S. and Canada 100% of DISH's revenue was removed from organic growth beginning on January 1st and reflected in churn.

Speaker #4: Any payments collected from DISH subsequent to year-end 2025 will be reflected in other non-run-rate revenue. For 2026, we expect consolidated organic tenant billings growth of approximately 1%.

Speaker #4: Or approximately 4% excluding DISH churn. In the U.S. and Canada, organic tenant billings growth is expected to be approximately 0.5%. Or approximately 4.5% when excluding DISH churn.

Rodney Smith: In the US and Canada, Organic Tenant Billings growth is expected to be approximately 0.5% or approximately 4.5% when excluding DISH churn. This is comprised of colocation and amendment growth of approximately 2.5%, escalations of approximately 3%, DISH-related churn of approximately 4%, and normal churn of approximately 1%. We remain constructive on growth for towers in the US, supported by a healthier, well-capitalized customer base. In Africa and APAC, Organic Tenant Billings growth is expected to be approximately 8.5%. This is comprised of colocation and amendment growth of approximately 7%, representing a modest acceleration off of 2025 levels, CPI-linked escalations of approximately 4%, and churn of approximately 2.5%.

Speaker #4: This is comprised of colocation and amendment growth of approximately 2.5%. Escalations of approximately 3%, DISH-related churn of approximately 4%, and normal churn of approximately 1%.

Speaker #4: We remain constructive on growth for towers in the U.S. supported by a healthier well-capitalized customer base. In Africa and APAC, organic tenant billings growth is expected to be approximately 8.5%.

Speaker #4: This is comprised of colocation and amendment growth of approximately 7%, representing a modest acceleration off of 2025 levels. CPI-linked escalations of approximately 4% and churn of approximately 2.5%.

Speaker #4: Churn is expected to be back half-weighted, resulting in approximately 10% organic growth in the first half of the year and approximately 7% in the second half of the year.

Rodney Smith: Churn is expected to be back-half weighted, resulting in approximately 10% organic growth in the first half of the year and approximately 7% in the second half of the year. In Europe, organic tenant billings growth is expected to be approximately 4%. This is comprised of colocation and amendment growth of approximately 3%, consistent with 2025 levels, CPI-linked escalations of approximately 2%, and churn of approximately 1%. In LATAM, organic tenant billings is expected to decline by approximately 3%. This includes steady colocation and amendment contributions of approximately 2%, CPI-linked escalations of approximately 4%, churn of approximately 8%, and other run rate revenue headwinds of approximately 1%.

Speaker #4: In Europe, organic tenant billings growth is expected to be approximately 4%. This is comprised of colocation and amendment growth of approximately 3%, consistent with 2025 levels.

Speaker #4: CPI-linked escalations of approximately 2% and churn of approximately 1%. In LATAM, organic tenant billings is expected to decline by approximately 3%. This includes steady colocation and amendment contributions of approximately 2%, CPI-linked escalations of approximately 4%, churn of approximately 8%, and other run rate revenue headwinds of approximately 1%.

Speaker #4: As communicated over the last couple of years, we have expected low single digit organic growth in LATAM through the end of 2027 due to elevated consolidation-related churn in Brazil.

Rodney Smith: As communicated over the last couple of years, we have expected low single-digit organic growth in LATAM through the end of 2027 due to elevated consolidation-related churn in Brazil, and for organic growth to accelerate in 2028 once the churn passed. On average, our multiyear expectations remain consistent, though we now expect more acute churn in 2026 and the acceleration in organic growth to commence in 2027, one year earlier than previously expected. The higher churn in 2026 is driven by a combination of delayed churn initially expected in 2025 and accelerated churn initially expected in 2027. Overall, we are encouraged by the prospects of an earlier-than-expected market repair in Brazil and for the forthcoming acceleration of organic growth in 2027. As a reminder, we still have an ongoing arbitration with AT&T Mexico.

Speaker #4: And for organic growth to accelerate in 2028 once the churn passed. On average, our multi-year expectations remain consistent. Though we now expect more acute churn in 2026 and the acceleration in organic growth to commence in 2027.

Speaker #4: One year earlier than previously expected. The higher churn in 2026 is driven by a combination of delayed churn initially expected in 2025 and accelerated churn initially expected in 2027.

Speaker #4: Overall, we are encouraged by the prospects of an earlier-than-expected market repair in Brazil and for the forthcoming acceleration of organic growth in 2027. As a reminder, we still have a ongoing arbitration with AT&T Mexico.

Speaker #4: We remain confident in our legal position and note that the outcome of the arbitration may impact organic growth. Turning to property revenue on slide 9, we expect our outlook for approximately 1% organic tenant billings growth to be complemented by the selective construction of approximately 2,000 new tower sites at the midpoint of our outlook and approximately 13% growth in our U.S.

Rodney Smith: We remain confident in our legal position, and note that the outcome of the arbitration may impact organic growth. Turning to property revenue on slide nine, we expect our outlook for approximately 1% Organic Tenant Billings growth to be complemented by the selective construction of approximately 2,000 new tower sites at the midpoint of our outlook, and approximately 13% growth in our US data center business. Excluding non-cash straight-line revenue and FX impacts, property revenue is expected to grow approximately 3%. Normalized for the impact of one-time DISH-related churn, our outlook for property revenue implies approximately 5% growth on a cash FX neutral basis.

Speaker #4: data center business. Excluding non-cash straight-line revenue and FX impacts, property revenue is expected to grow approximately 3%. Normalized for the impact of one-time DISH-related churn, our outlook for property revenue implies approximately 5% growth on a cash, FX-neutral basis.

Speaker #4: The FX assumptions contemplated in our 2026 outlook which reflect our standard methodology and our conservative relative to current spot rates contribute approximately 1% of incremental growth.

Rodney Smith: The FX assumptions contemplated in our 2026 outlook, which reflect our standard methodology and are conservative relative to current spot rates, contribute approximately 1% of incremental growth, non-cash straight-line revenue represents an approximately 2% headwind to our GAAP outlook for property revenue. Moving to slide 10, adjusted EBITDA is expected to grow approximately 2% when excluding net straight-lined and FX impacts, as growth in towers and data centers is partially offset by a decline in services. Normalized for the one-time impact of DISH-related churn, our outlook for Cash adjusted EBITDA implies approximately 5% growth. Cash-adjusted EBITDA margins are expected to be 66.8%, down a modest 20 basis points versus last year, as steady margins in towers are offset by contributions from lower-margin data centers and services.

Speaker #4: And non-cash straight-line revenue represents an approximately 2% headwind to our gap outlook for property revenue. Moving to slide 10, adjusted EBITDA is expected to grow approximately 2% when excluding net straight-line and FX impacts, as growth in towers and data centers is partially offset by a decline in services.

Speaker #4: Normalized for the one-time impact of DISH-related churn, our outlook for cash-adjusted EBITDA implies approximately 5% growth. Cash-adjusted EBITDA margins are expected to be 66.8%, down a modest 20 basis points versus last year as steady margins in towers are offset by contributions from lower margin data centers and services.

Rodney Smith: In towers, due to a continuation of high conversion rates and cost savings initiatives, we expect cash margins to be flat year-over-year, even while absorbing approximately 60 basis points of one-time pressure from DISH-related churn. In data centers, we expect cash margins to decline approximately 270 basis points year-over-year, as one-time benefits from property tax adjustments and legal settlements in 2025 are not expected to reoccur in 2026. Normalized for these one-time items, we expect cash margins to hold steady as strong lease-up of existing facilities is offset by putting new capacity into service. In services, we expect healthy levels of carrier activity to drive our third-highest services contribution in the history of the company.

Speaker #4: In towers, due to a continuation of high conversion rates and cost savings initiatives, we expect cash margins to be flat year over year, even while absorbing approximately 60 basis points of one-time pressure from DISH-related churn.

Speaker #4: In data centers, we expect cash margins to decline approximately 270 basis points year over year, as one-time benefits from property tax adjustments and legal settlements in 2025 are not expected to reoccur in 2026.

Speaker #4: Normalized for these one-time items, we expect cash margins to hold steady as strong lease-up of existing facilities is offset by putting new capacity into service.

Speaker #4: In services, we expect healthy levels of carrier activity to drive our third highest services contribution in the history of the company. While this level of services contribution is robust relative to historical standards, following our record 2025 and taking into account an increasing contribution of lower margin construction services, it weighs on consolidated growth and margins in 2026.

Rodney Smith: While this level of services contribution is robust relative to historical standards, following our record 2025, and taking into account an increase in contribution of lower-margin construction services, it weighs on consolidated growth and margins in 2026. Turning to AFFO on slide 11, our 2026 outlook assumes attributable AFFO per share growth of approximately 1% year-over-year. Normalized for the impact of one-time DISH-related churn and excluding the impact of FX and refinancing costs, our outlook for attributable AFFO per share growth implies approximately 5% growth. Bridging from our 2026 outlook for cash-adjusted EBITDA, tailwinds from lower maintenance capital and share repurchases executed in the Q4 of 2025 and year-to-date in 2026, are partially offset by higher interest expenses. Debt is refinanced at higher rates, higher cash taxes, and higher minority interest in distributions, consistent with our expectations.

Speaker #4: Turning to AFFO on slide 11, our 2026 outlook assumes attributable AFFO per share growth of approximately 1% year over year normalized for the impact of one-time DISH-related churn and excluding the impact of FX and refinancing costs, our outlook for attributable AFFO per share growth implies approximately 5% growth.

Speaker #4: Bridging from our 2026 outlook for cash-adjusted EBITDA, tailwinds from lower maintenance capital and share repurchases executed in the fourth quarter of 2025 and year-to-date in 2026 are partially offset by higher interest expenses, as debt is refinanced at higher rates, higher cash taxes, and higher minority interest and distributions, consistent with our expectations.

Speaker #4: While our outlook for 2026 growth is negatively impacted by churn events in the U.S. and Latin America, we believe that we are well positioned to deliver our goal of industry-leading attributable AFFO per share growth and compelling total shareholder returns in subsequent years.

Rodney Smith: While our outlook for 2026 growth is negatively impacted by churn events in the US and Latin America, we believe that we are well-positioned to deliver our goal of industry-leading attributable AFFO per share growth and compelling total shareholder returns in subsequent years. On slide 12, I'll review our capital allocation plans for 2026. We expect to grow our dividend approximately 5%, resulting in approximately $3.3 billion in distributions to our shareholders, subject to board approval. Next, we're planning for $1.9 billion in capital deployments, of which $1.8 billion is discretionary in nature and includes the construction of 2,000 sites at the midpoint.

Speaker #4: On slide 12, our review, our capital allocation plans for 2026. We expect to grow our dividend approximately 5%, resulting in approximately $3.3 billion in distributions to our shareholders, subject to board approval.

Speaker #4: Next, we're planning for $1.9 billion in capital deployments, of which $1.8 billion is discretionary in nature and includes the construction of 2,000 sites at the midpoint.

Rodney Smith: Approximately 85% of our discretionary spend is directed towards our developed market platforms, including over $700 million in success-based investments in our data center portfolio to replenish elevated levels of capacity sold over the past several years. Increased spend in the US, primarily toward land buyouts under our tower sites, and continued acceleration in European new builds with over 700 new sites planned. Our plan also includes approximately $180 million in maintenance capital, a reduction of roughly $15 million due to an acceleration of maintenance capital projects into 2025, reducing 2026 anticipated spending. Moving to the right side of the slide, we remain disciplined as we utilize our balance sheet, which is well-positioned for a variety of macroeconomic scenarios, and we are focused on allocating capital to optimize long-term shareholder value creation.

Speaker #4: Approximately 85% of our discretionary spend is directed towards our developed market platforms, including over $700 million in success-based investments in our data center portfolio to replenish elevated levels of capacity sold over the past several years.

Speaker #4: Increased spend in the U.S. primarily toward land buyouts under our tower sites and continued acceleration in European new builds with over $700 new sites planned.

Speaker #4: Our plan also includes approximately $180 million in maintenance capital; a reduction of roughly $15 million due to an acceleration of maintenance capital projects into 2025, reducing 2026 anticipated spending.

Speaker #4: Moving to the right side of the slide, we remain disciplined as we utilize our balance sheet, which is well positioned for a variety of macroeconomic scenarios, and we are focused on allocating capital to optimize long-term shareholder value creation.

Speaker #4: As I mentioned, we repurchased approximately $365 million of American Tower stock in 2025, plus another approximately $53 million so far in 2026. We will continue to be opportunistic in utilizing the remaining approximately $1.6 billion that the board has authorized for share repurchases.

Rodney Smith: As I mentioned, we repurchased approximately $365 million of American Tower stock in 2025, plus another approximately $53 million so far in 2026. We will continue to be opportunistic in utilizing the remaining approximately $1.6 billion that the board has authorized for share repurchases. Turning to slide 13, in summary, we are pleased with our 2025 results, which demonstrate the fundamental durability of our business model.

Speaker #4: Turning to slide 13 and in summary, we are pleased with our 2025 results, which demonstrate the fundamental durability of our business model. Robust mobile data consumption growth and demand for our interconnection-rich data centers underpin a long runway of growth opportunities for American Tower.

Ric Prentiss: robust mobile data consumption growth and demand for our interconnection-rich data centers underpin a long runway of growth opportunities for American Tower. With our best-in-class portfolio of towers and data centers and strong balance sheet, we are well-positioned to capture these growth opportunities and deliver on our goal of industry-leading attributable AFFO per share growth. With that, operator, we can open the line for questions.

Speaker #4: With our best-in-class portfolio of towers and data centers and strong balance sheet, we are well positioned to capture these growth opportunities and deliver on our goal of industry-leading attributable AFFO per share growth.

Speaker #4: And with that, operator, we can open the line for questions.

Speaker #2: Thank you. At this time, we will conduct the question-and-answer session. As a reminder to ask a question, you will need to press *11 on your telephone and wait for your name to be announced.

Operator: Thank you. At this time, we will conduct the question-and-answer session. As a reminder, to ask a question, you will need to press star one one on your telephone and wait for your name to be announced. To withdraw your question, please press star one one again. Please stand by, while we compile the Q&A roster. Our first question comes from the line of Batya Levi of UBS. Your line is now open.

Speaker #2: To withdraw your question, please press *11 again. Please stand by while we compile the Q&A roster. Our first question comes from the line of Bhatia Levi of UBS.

Speaker #2: Your line is now open.

Speaker #3: Great, thank you. On the domestic side, can you provide a bit more color on the pacing of activity that you're seeing from the carriers as we enter a lower contracted revenue cycle than you had under the holistic deals in the prior terms?

Operator: Great, thank you. On the domestic side, can you provide a bit more color on the pacing of activity that you're seeing from the carriers as we enter a lower contracted revenue cycle that you had under the holistic deals in the prior terms? Are you seeing a change in the amendment versus densification activity today? Maybe just to compare that 2.5% leasing growth guidance for 2026, how does that compare to 2025 if we exclude Dish? Thank you.

Speaker #3: And are you seeing a change in the amendment versus densification activity today? And maybe just to compare that two and a half percent leasing growth guidance for '26, how does that compare to '25 if we exclude DISH?

Speaker #3: Thank you.

Speaker #4: I'll start out with leasing trends, and then I'll let Rod talk about the numbers on it. So what we're seeing, Bhatia, is we're seeing the customers providing a steady level of activity.

Steven Vondran: I'll start out with leasing trends, then I'll let Rod talk about the numbers on it. So what we're seeing, Batya, is we're seeing the customers providing a steady level of activity, kind of broad-based across the entire ecosystem there. We are seeing a higher incidence of new colocations coming in, but we still have a pretty healthy amendment pipeline as well. This is what we would expect to see at this point in the cycle. You know, some of the carriers are broadly done with their initial 5G overlays, so there'll be, you know, some fill-in sites that happen there, but they're broadly done with their initial targets. One is still a little bit further behind on that. We are still seeing some amendment growth there.

Speaker #4: Kind of broad-based, across the entire ecosystem there. And we are seeing a higher incidence of new colocations coming in, but we still have a pretty healthy amendment pipeline as well.

Speaker #4: And this is what we would expect to see at this point in the cycle. Some of the carriers are broadly done with their initial 5G overlays, so there'll be some fill-in sites that happen there, but they're broadly done with their initial targets.

Speaker #4: One is still a little bit further behind on that. And so we are still seeing some amendment growth there. And when it comes to the densification, we're seeing both some amendments because they're adding more equipment to existing sites that they've already overlaid, but they're also adding new sites.

Steven Vondran: When it comes to the densification, we're seeing, both some amendments, because they're adding more equipment to existing sites that they've already overlaid, but they're also, adding new sites. We are seeing a little bit of a shift in that, but we still would expect the majority of our new leasing, to come from amendments this year, as we have historically.

Speaker #4: So we are seeing a little bit of a shift in that, but we still would expect the majority of our new leasing to come from amendments this year.

Speaker #4: As we have historically.

Speaker #5: Good morning, Bhatia. This is Rod. I'll take the other piece of your question, relative to the colo and amendment contribution to organic tenant billings and how it relates to prior years.

Rodney Smith: Good morning, Batya. This is Rod. I'll take the other piece of your question relative to the colo and amendment contribution to Organic Tenant Billings and how it relates to prior year. If you look at our 2026 guide for Organic Tenant Billings growth, it's about 0.5%. Within that, there is about 2.4% contribution coming from colocation and amendment revenue. That doesn't have any contribution from Dish at all in it. If you go back to the prior year, the 2025 numbers, we were at about, at about 3.1%, 3.2%, which included some activity from Dish in terms of the contribution from colocation and amendment revenue. When you remove that contribution in the prior year number from Dish, you come right in at that 2.5% level.

Speaker #5: So if you look at our 2026 guide for organic tenant billings growth, it's about a half a percent. Within that, there is about $2.4% contribution coming from colocation and amendment revenue.

Speaker #5: Now, that doesn't have any contribution from DISH at all in it. If you go back to the prior year, the 2025 numbers, we were at about $3.1, $3.2%, which included some activity from DISH in terms of the contribution from colocation and amendment revenue.

Speaker #5: When you remove that contribution in the prior year number from DISH, you come right into that two-and-a-half percent level. So we are seeing, as Steve outlined, very consistent activity levels in the U.S.

Rodney Smith: We are seeing, as Steve outlined, very consistent activity levels in the US marketplace, ex-Dish, and we're seeing about 2.5% contribution from colocation and amendment revenue in each of those years from the carriers in the US, ex-Dish. The only other thing I would add to the pacing of the new business, as Steve said, it's pretty consistent. You will see a little bit higher number in the first half of the year, and it drops down just slightly in the second half of the year.

Speaker #5: marketplace ex-DISH, and we're seeing about two and a half percent contribution from colocation and amendment revenue in each of those years from the carriers in the U.S.

Speaker #5: ex-DISH. The only other thing I would add to the pacing of the new business, as Steve said, it's pretty consistent. You will see a little bit higher number in the first half of the year, and it drops down just slightly in the second half of the year.

Speaker #3: Go ahead.

Steven Vondran: Thanks, Rod.

Speaker #4: Thanks, Rod. Yeah. I think you made us say 2.5% contribution from new leases and amendments this year.

Operator: Thank you.

Steven Vondran: Yeah. I think you made it say 2.5% contribution from new leases and amendments this year.

Rodney Smith: Yes.

Speaker #5: Yes.

Speaker #2: Thank you.

Operator: Thank you.

Rodney Smith: Thank you.

Speaker #1: Thank you.

Speaker #2: Our next question comes from the line of Rick Prentice of Raymond James & Associates. Your line is now open.

Operator: Our next question comes from the line of Ric Prentiss of Raymond James & Associates. Your line is now open.

Ric Prentiss: Hey, good morning, everyone. I hope you're doing okay with the snowstorm. Can you hear me okay?

Speaker #6: Hey. Good morning, everyone. Hope you're doing okay with the snowstorm. Can you hear me okay?

Speaker #5: Yes, we can. Good morning, Rick.

Rodney Smith: Yes, we can. Good morning, Ric.

Ric Prentiss: Okay. Good morning. Hope you're doing okay with the snowstorm, obviously crazy up there in the Northeast. Want to start on the Dish. Appreciate it's out of the guidance. We had taken it out of our numbers as well. Can you provide us the amount owed? Like, Crown Castle mentioned that they were owed three and a half billion when they terminated the agreement with Dish. Are you able to tell us how much is owed and that you're looking at trying to work out a payment from them?

Speaker #6: Okay. Good morning. Hope you’re doing okay with the snowstorm—obviously, crazy up there in the Northeast. Want to start on the DISH. Appreciate it’s out of the guidance.

Speaker #6: We had taken it out of our numbers as well. Can you provide us the amount owed, like Crown Castle, mentioned that they're owed $3.5 billion when they terminated the agreement with DISH.

Speaker #6: Are you able to tell us how much is owed and that you're looking at trying to work out a payment from them?

Speaker #4: Yeah. Thanks, Rick. Yeah, I think the key takeaway that we want everybody to have about DISH from today's call is that we have de-risked our business going forward by taking it out of the numbers.

Steven Vondran: Yeah, thanks, Ric. Yeah, I think the key takeaway that we want everybody to have about Dish from today's call is that we have de-risked our business going forward by taking it out of the numbers. We, you know, we fully plan to fight the in the litigation. We think our contract's enforceable. We're going to do everything we can to collect that, but that would all be incremental upside to the current guidance that we're giving out there. When it comes to the exposure on Dish, you know, we've given you guys the numbers, we can kind of back into it, where it's represents about 4% of our US revenue, so that's approximately $200 million a year, and we've disclosed that it goes through 2035 into 2036.

Speaker #4: And we fully plan to fight the litigation. We think our contracts enforceable, and we're going to do everything we can to collect that. But that would all be incremental upside to the current guidance that we're giving out there.

Speaker #4: And when it comes to the exposure on DISH, we've given you guys the numbers we can kind of back into it where it's represents about 4% of our U.S.

Speaker #4: revenue. So that's approximately $200 million a year. And we've disclosed that it goes through 2035. End of 2036. So that gives you guys kind of the ballpark on that.

Steven Vondran: That gives you guys kind of the ballpark on that. We haven't put a specific number out there and don't plan to put a precise number on it, but that gives you guys kind of the zip code of where that exposure is or what the opportunity is actually, now that it's out of the numbers. In terms of, I'll go ahead and proactively address this for some of the other questions I know are coming. Yeah, we don't plan to speculate on the litigation. It's public, you guys can follow along as you go. This is gonna take time to work out, we don't necessarily expect this to get resolved this year. We hope it does, we don't necessarily expect it to.

Speaker #4: We haven't put a specific number out there, and don't plan to put a precise number on it, but that gives you guys kind of the zip code of where that exposure is, or what the opportunity is, actually, now that it's out of the numbers.

Speaker #4: And so in terms of, and I'll go ahead proactively address this for some of the other questions I know are coming, we don't plan to speculate on the litigation.

Speaker #4: It's public, and you guys can follow along as you go. This is going to take time to work out. And so we don't necessarily expect this to get resolved this year.

Speaker #4: We hope it does, but we don't necessarily expect it to. And so as we kind of go forward, as we go forward in the year, we'll keep you updated on anything material that happens.

Steven Vondran: As we kinda go forward, as we go forward in the year, we'll keep you updated on anything material that happens, but otherwise, we're just gonna continue to fight this out in the courts and see where it goes.

Speaker #4: But otherwise, we're just going to continue to fight this out in the courts and see where it goes.

[Analyst] (Raymond James & Associates): Excellent. Along those lines, obviously, a settlement or payments would be upside to, the capital allocation. You mentioned, you know, opportunistic stock buybacks, also pursue M&A. How should we think about M&A out there, what you're seeing across the global landscape, and maybe address also kind of the disparity between public and private multiples?

Ric Prentiss: Excellent. Along those lines, obviously, a settlement or payments would be upside to, the capital allocation. You mentioned, you know, opportunistic stock buybacks, also pursue M&A. How should we think about M&A out there, what you're seeing across the global landscape, and maybe address also kind of the disparity between public and private multiples?

Speaker #5: Excellent. Along those lines, obviously, any settlement or payments would be upside to the capital allocation. You mentioned opportunistic stock buybacks. Also, pursue M&A. How should we think about M&A out there?

Speaker #5: What are you seeing across the global landscape, and maybe address also the disparity between public and private multiples?

Speaker #4: Yeah. Thanks, Rick. We continue to evaluate everything that's out there as you probably know. There's a lot of portfolios that are talked about right now.

Steven Vondran: Yeah, thanks, Ric. You know, we continue to evaluate everything that's out there. As you probably know, there's a lot of portfolios that are talked about right now. There's not a lot of active deals that we're seeing. We are still seeing a disconnect between private and public multiples, and we think that reflects the attractiveness and the durability of revenue in the tower business. That's kept us on the sidelines for the past few years because there has been, you know, that delta there that's made it hard for us to participate. Just to reiterate to everyone, you know, our capital allocation strategy is to focus on developed markets. You should not expect to see us participating in M&A in emerging markets.

Speaker #4: There's not a lot of we are still seeing a disconnect between private and public multiples. And we think that that reflects the attractiveness and the durability of revenue and the tower business.

Speaker #4: And so that's kept us on the sidelines for the past few years because there has been a delta there that's made it hard for us to participate.

Speaker #4: But just to reiterate to everyone, our capital allocation strategy is to focus on developed markets, and so you should not expect to see us participating in M&A in emerging markets.

Speaker #4: We'll continue to invest a small amount of capital there, opportunistically doing redevelopment to support our organic tenant billings growth there. And then, we do have some bill disputes that we're addressing as part of multi-year commitments we entered into previously.

Steven Vondran: We'll continue to invest a small amount of capital there, you know, opportunistically doing redevelopment to support our Organic Tenant Billings growth there. We do have some build-to-suits that we're doing as part of multi-year commitments we entered into previously. As we think about capital allocation going forward, it's really focused on developed markets, you know, predominantly the US, and then if there's an opportunity in Europe or elsewhere that's developed, you know, we'll certainly evaluate that. We're not seeing a lot of deal flow out there that we find attractive today. You know, we hope that changes. We hope that there is an opportunity for us to scale in some of those markets, and if there is, we'll keep you guys apprised when it happens.

Speaker #4: But as we think about capital allocation going forward, it's really focused on developed markets predominantly the U.S. and then if there's an opportunity in Europe or elsewhere that's developed, we'll certainly evaluate that.

Speaker #4: But we're not seeing a lot of deal flow out there that we find attractive today. And we hope that changes. We hope that there is an opportunity for us to scale in some of those markets and if there is, we'll keep you guys apprised when it happens.

Speaker #5: Hey, Rick, I would just add a couple of quick things here. You had mentioned any possible future settlement from DISH could be a balance sheet item.

Rodney Smith: Hey, Rick, I would just add a couple of quick things here. One, you had mentioned, any possible future settlement from Dish could be a balance sheet item. I'll just highlight the fact that Dish is in default at the moment. They're not paying us. There is the potential for future collections that may come in, and if they do, it could be accounted for in other non-run rate revenues. There could be some P&L impacts to the extent that there are future collections from Dish as we go forward. The only other thing I'd highlight on capital allocation is we are now down below our 5%, you know, within our 3 to 5 times leverage target. As you've heard Steve and I talk about over the last several quarters, that brings us into financial flexibility.

Speaker #5: I'll just highlight the fact that DISH is in default at the moment. They're not paying us. There is the potential for future collections. That may come in.

Speaker #5: And if they do, it could be accounted for in other non-run rate revenue. So there could be some P&L impacts to the extent that there are future collections from DISH as we go forward.

Speaker #5: And the only other thing I'd highlight on capital allocation is we are now down below our 5% within our three to five times leverage target.

Speaker #5: As you've heard, Steve and I talk about over the last several quarters, that brings us into financial flexibility just to remind you that the bits and pieces here, Steve talked about this, were a REIT we provide the dividend.

Rodney Smith: Just to remind you, the bits and pieces here, Steve talked about this, where a REIT, we provide the dividend. We think that's essential to our long-term TSR, total shareholder return. We have been consistently investing between $1.5 and $2 billion in CapEx, and we've been able to rotate that, as Steve said, into the areas where we see the best returns. Today, that's going into developed markets, and it's increasing capital investments in CoreSite. We look at M&A and buyback, and we will make the decisions between those two pieces, in terms of which one provides the best outlook for long-term total shareholder return. Of course, if paying down debt and building capacity for future deployments makes sense, then we'll do that. We have a lot of options available to us.

Speaker #5: We think that's essential to our long-term TSR. Total shareholder return. Then we have been consistently investing between 1.5 and 2 billion in CapEx. And we've been able to rotate that, as Steve said, into the areas where we see the best returns.

Speaker #5: Today, that's going into developed markets, and it's increasing capital investments in CoreSite. And then we look at M&A and buyback, and we will make the decisions between those two pieces in terms of which one provides the best outlook for long-term total shareholder return.

Speaker #5: And of course, if paying down debt and building capacity for future deployments makes sense, then we'll do that. So we have a lot of options available to us.

Speaker #5: We're willing to use them all, and we are now in a place where the balance sheet is very strong, and we've regained full financial flexibility.

Rodney Smith: We're willing to use them all, and we are now in a place where the balance sheet is very strong, and we've regained full financial flexibility.

[Analyst] (Raymond James & Associates): Great. Thanks, guys.

Ric Prentiss: Great. Thanks, guys.

Speaker #5: Great. Thanks, guys.

Speaker #6: Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Michael Rollins of Citi. Your line is now open.

Operator: Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Michael Rollins of Citi. Your line is now open.

Michael Rollins: Thanks, good morning. The margin guidance, for cash margins to go up to by 200 to 300 basis points by 2030, how much of that is just organic from the natural operating leverage in the business? How much, you know, is represented by the acceleration of the activities, that you outlined earlier?

Speaker #7: Thanks and good morning. So the margin guidance for cash margins to go up to by 2 to 300 basis points by 2030. How much of that is just organic from the natural operating leverage in the business?

Speaker #7: And then how much is represented by the acceleration of the activities that you outlined earlier?

Speaker #5: Hey, Michael. Good morning. This is Rod. Let me take that one. So as you highlight in our 2026 guide for cash EBITDA margins, we're guiding to about 66.8%.

Rodney Smith: Hey, Michael, good morning. This is Rod. Let me take that one. As you highlight in our 2026 guide for Cash EBITDA margins, we're guiding to about 66.8%. That is slightly down from the prior year, down about 20 basis points. Of course, within there is organic revenue growth, there's the benefits of cost management that I would remind you and other listeners that we, as a company, have been focused on cost management and efficiencies. Over the long term, historically, and certainly over the last several years, have you seen us talk about absolute reductions in SG&A year-over-year over the last few years. This is not new to us in terms of focusing on cost.

Speaker #5: That is slightly down from the prior year, down about 20 basis points. Of course, within there, there is organic revenue growth as the benefits of cost management that I would remind you and other listeners that we as a company have been focused on cost management and efficiencies.

Speaker #5: Over the long-term historically, and certainly over the last several years have you seen us talk about absolute reductions in SG&A year over year over the last few years.

Speaker #5: So this is not new to us in terms of focusing on cost. A couple of things that are offsetting those expansionary pieces that are driving the margin.

Rodney Smith: A couple of things that are offsetting those expansionary pieces that are driving the margin, is it's offset by contributions, higher contributions from our data center business, which is lower margin, as well as contributions from our services business that also has lower margin. I would highlight that it's absorbing about 50 basis points of contraction because of the Dish churn. Within there, it has a step back in the CoreSite margins by about 270 basis points. A lot of that is a one-time, non-recurring benefit we got in property tax as we reversed a prior property tax accrual in 2025. That's not expected to be recurring again, of course, in 2026.

Speaker #5: Is it's offset by contributions, higher contributions from our data center business, which is lower margin, as well as contributions from our services business that also has lower margin.

Speaker #5: And I would highlight that it's absorbing about 50 basis points of contraction because of the DISH churn. And within there, it has a step back in the CoreSite margins by about 270 basis points.

Speaker #5: A lot of that is a one-time non-recurring benefit we got in property tax. As we reversed a prior property tax accrual, in 2025, that's not expected to be recurring again of course in 2026.

Speaker #5: With all of that said, I'm not going to go through and try to break out the bits and pieces of that margin expansion that we are expecting.

Rodney Smith: With all of that, you know, said, I'm not going to go through and try to break out the bits and pieces of that margin expansion that we are expecting. We have increased margins about 300 basis points over the last several years. We expect to do that again going forward, in the next, you know, the next several years, going out to about 2030. That's, and I'm not going to break it out in terms of which pieces are the organic growth pieces and which ones are the cost savings. It really is a continuation of what we've been doing. We've been focused a lot on reducing and managing SG&A. We'll now pivot towards global operations and look to reduce and manage our direct expenses down. That'll help contribute to that continued expansion.

Speaker #5: We have increased margins about 300 basis points over the last several years. We expect to do that again going forward in the next several years, going out to about 2030.

Speaker #5: So that's it, and I'm not going to break it out in terms of which pieces are the organic growth pieces and which ones are the cost savings.

Speaker #5: And it really is a continuation of what we've been doing. We've been focused a lot on reducing and managing SG&A. We'll now pivot towards global operations and look to reduce and manage our direct expenses down.

Speaker #5: That'll help contribute to that continued expansion.

Speaker #8: And just to confirm, over the last several months, I think you and Steve have been talking about the incremental effort to drive efficiency and we were going to get an updated at some point.

Michael Rollins: Just to confirm, over the last several months, I think you and Steve have been talking about the incremental effort to drive efficiency, and we were going to get an update at some point. Does today's target for 2030 fully encapsulate the activities that you've been describing over the last several months just to continue to push those efficiencies forward?

Speaker #8: So does today's target for 2030 fully encapsulate the activities that you've been describing over the last several months just to continue to push those efficiencies forward?

Speaker #5: It encapsulates the things that I talked about in my script where we talked about the four initiatives that were taking on today. We do think that AI could offer some incremental upside to that, but it's too early to predict exactly what that's going to be.

Steven Vondran: It encapsulates the things that I talked about in my script, where we talked about the four initiatives that we're taking on today. We do think that AI could offer some incremental upside to that, but it's too early to predict exactly what that's going to be. When you think about what we're doing here, the direct costs typically rise with inflation, we thought the best way to explain a target to you guys was to do it in terms of margin. We could put out a number that's sort of avoided cost number. That wouldn't mean anything to anybody, but we didn't think that was the right way to explain it. We thought it was really to focus on what's it going to be in the bottom line and what's something you could actually model out in terms of our expectation.

Speaker #5: So when you think about what we're doing here, the direct costs typically rise with inflation. And so we thought the best way to explain a target to you guys was to do it in terms of margin.

Speaker #5: We could put out a number that's sort of an avoided cost number that wouldn't mean anything to anybody, but we didn't think that was the right way to explain it.

Speaker #5: We thought it was really to focus on what's it going to be in the bottom line and what's something you could actually model out in terms of our expectation.

Speaker #5: And so when we looked at it and we looked at what the growth would have been in terms of margins, just from the operating leverage, and where we were in terms of directs, we set a stretch target for ourselves.

Steven Vondran: When we looked at it and we looked at, you know, what the growth would have been in terms of margins, just from the operating leverage and where we were in terms of directs, we set a stretch target for ourselves. We do think that 200 to 300 points of margin expansion represents some nice improvement over what it would otherwise be if we weren't able to recognize these cost savings. That's the guidance you're going to get from us, is that margin expansion piece. If there's a chance to do something else with AI, and we think there is, once we've been able to sort of figure out exactly what those numbers look like, we'll share it.

Speaker #5: And we do think that that 2 to 300 points of margin expansion represents some nice improvement over what it would otherwise be if we weren't able to recognize these cost savings.

Speaker #5: So that's the guidance you're going to get from us is that margin expansion piece. If there's a chance to do something else with AI and we think there is, once we've been able to sort of figure out exactly what those numbers look like, we'll share it.

Speaker #5: But until then, focus on margin expansion as Rod said. Look at it on the tower side, not on the data center and services side.

Steven Vondran: Until then, focus on margin expansion, as Rod said, look at it on the tower side, not on the data center and services side. We give you guys enough information and supplemental to do that, and we'll continue to expand those margins and update you on that quarterly like we always have.

Speaker #5: And we give you guys enough information to supplemental to do that. And we'll continue to expand those margins and update you on that quarterly like we always have.

Speaker #5: And Michael, I would just add that that margin expansion is off of a base that is already industry leading.

Rodney Smith: Michael, I would just add that that margin expansion is off of a base that is already industry leading.

Speaker #7: Thanks very much.

Michael Rollins: Thanks very much.

Speaker #6: Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Nick Deldeo of Moffett Nathanson, your line is now open.

Operator: Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Nick Del Deo of MoffettNathanson. Your line is now open.

Speaker #5: Hey, good morning. Thanks for taking my questions. First, I was hoping you could expand a bit on two of the tower revenue growth drivers you highlighted.

Nick Del Deo: Hey, good morning. Thanks for taking my questions. First, I was hoping you could expand a bit on two of the tower revenue growth drivers you highlighted, fixed wireless, and AI. With fixed wireless, are you seeing the carriers invest behind it as, you know, the primary motivating factor for work on a site, versus it piggybacking mobile-led deployments, both in the US and overseas? What AI use cases do you see as most promising for driving wireless traffic growth?

Speaker #5: Fixed wireless and AI. So with fixed wireless, are you seeing the carriers invest behind it as the primary motivating factor for work on a site versus it piggybacking mobile ed deployments?

Speaker #5: Both in the US and overseas. And what AI use cases do you see as most promising for driving wireless traffic growth? Sure. I'll take that one.

Steven Vondran: Sure, I'll take that one. When it comes to fixed wireless, you know, the carriers are still using their existing installations to support that, so you wouldn't necessarily see a standalone deployment for fixed wireless. The way we think about it is overall mobile network traffic and mobile data demand, and when you look at the percentage of mobile data usage that's coming from fixed wireless, it's accelerating. We also look at the, our carrier customers and what they're saying publicly, and they're all raising their targets for fixed wireless subscribers. What that tells us is that's driving demand on the network, and that's underpinning growth in our sales, even though we can't necessarily pinpoint this amendment or this colocation to fixed wireless, we know it's kind of an overall driver.

Speaker #5: When it comes to fixed wireless, the carriers are still using their existing installations to support that. So you wouldn't necessarily see a standalone deployment for fixed wireless.

Speaker #5: The way we think about it is overall mobile network traffic and mobile data demand. And when you look at the percentage of mobile data usage that's coming from fixed wireless, it's accelerating.

Speaker #5: We also look at our carrier customers and what they're saying publicly. And they're all raising their targets for fixed wireless subscribers. So what that tells us is that's driving demand on the network and that's underpinning growth in our sales even though we can't necessarily pinpoint this amendment or this collocation to fixed wireless.

Speaker #5: We know it's kind of an overall driver. When it comes to AI, we're in the early days of this. And most of the AI that we're all doing on our telephones, it's text or maybe it's still photograph.

Steven Vondran: When it comes to AI, we're in the early days of this, and most of the AI that we're all doing on our telephones is text or maybe a still photograph. That doesn't put a ton of stress on the networks. It's really video that puts the stress on the networks, and it's both video upstreaming and downstreaming. That's what we think is going to drive a lot more activity over time. Some of the projections we've seen are showing that the upstreaming effects of AI could require a change in network architecture, where most networks today have about 10% dedicated to upload and 90% to download, varies by customer, so some of them could be different.

Speaker #5: That doesn't put a ton of stress on the networks. It's really video that puts the stress on the networks. And it's both video upstreaming and downstreaming.

Speaker #5: And that's what we think is going to drive a lot more activity over time. Some of the projections we've seen are showing that the upstreaming effects of AI could require a change in network architecture where most networks today have about 10% dedicated upload and 90% to download.

Speaker #5: Varies by customer. So some of them could be different. We think that in the future, AI could change that trajectory a bit so that you're seeing north of 20% in terms of upload capacity.

Steven Vondran: We think that in the future, AI could change that trajectory a bit so that you're seeing north of 20% in terms of upload capacity. Again, it's early days. Too hard to predict exactly when it's going to happen or exactly what app is going to drive it, but it's really that video upstreaming, video manipulation, as well as things like, you know, like the Meta glasses that are live streaming, kind of everything around you. It's those types of applications that we think are gonna really result in some network traffic over time.

Speaker #5: So again, it's early days. Too hard to predict exactly when it's going to happen or exactly what app is going to drive it. But it's really that video upstreaming, video manipulation.

Speaker #5: As well as things like the meta glasses that are live streaming kind of everything around you. It's those types of applications that we think are going to really result in some network traffic over time.

Speaker #6: Okay. Thanks, Steve. And can I ask one on core site as well? I saw that there were some local news reports that indicated that you recently bought land in the Bay Area and might be pursuing a new campus in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Nick Del Deo: Okay. Thanks, Steve. Can I ask one on CoreSite as well? I saw that there were some local news reports that indicated that you recently bought land in the Bay Area and might be pursuing a new campus in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Assuming those reports are accurate, kind of what's the timeframe for the Bay Area land, and how many megawatts do you think it'll be able to support? Maybe talk a little about the vision and rationale for de novo market entry in Dallas.

Speaker #6: Assuming those reports are accurate, kind of what's the timeframe for the Bay Area land and how many megawatts do you think it'll be able to support?

Speaker #6: And maybe talk a little about the vision and rationale for de novo market entry in Dallas.

Speaker #5: Sure. So we're not ready to announce any new markets yet. We are selectively looking at opportunities in other key metros that would be complementary to our existing portfolios.

Steven Vondran: Sure. We're not ready to announce any new markets yet. We are selectively looking at opportunities in other key metros that would be complementary to our existing portfolio, and we have purchased some land in various areas. As sort of an exploratory foray into those. When we make a decision to break ground there, we'll tell you guys that we're doing it. The rationale is we're seeing incredible demand on our campuses. You know, this is our fourth consecutive year of record sales growth, and this is the first year we've seen AI really manifest itself as a huge use case.

Speaker #5: And we have purchased some land in various areas as sort of an exploratory foray into those. And when we make a decision to break ground there, we'll tell you guys that we're doing it.

Speaker #5: The rationale is we're seeing incredible demand on our campuses. And this is our fourth consecutive year of record sales growth. And this is the first year we've seen AI really manifest itself as a huge use case.

Speaker #5: So when you look at what's driving the success of core site right now, we still have our kind of bread and butter customer and that's the enterprises that are need to be in an interconnection-rich data center that's directly connected to multiple cloud on-ramps.

Steven Vondran: When you look at what's driving the success of CoreSite right now, we still have our kind of bread and butter customer, and that's the enterprises that need to be in an interconnection-rich data center that's directly connected to multiple cloud on-ramps. That's our core customer. There's still, you know, a huge tail, you know, a long runway of demand from that customer. We're also seeing AI workloads like inferencing and machine learning, things like that, and that's our fastest growing new use case. From our perspective, to maximize the value of CoreSite, which is what we should be doing, it's both investing in our current campuses and expanding those. It's looking at what other markets our customers would like for us to be in to drive even more accelerated sales over time.

Speaker #5: That's our core customer. There's still a huge tail long runway of demand from that customer. But we're also seeing AI workloads like inferencing and machine learning, things like that.

Speaker #5: And that's our fastest growing new use case. So from our perspective, to maximize the value of core site, which is what we should be doing, it's both investing in our current campuses and expanding those.

Speaker #5: And it's looking at what other markets our customers would like for us to be in to drive even more accelerated sales over time. From a timeline perspective, from the time we break ground till the time we open the facility, it depends on a couple of factors.

Steven Vondran: From a timeline perspective, from the time we break ground till the time we open a facility, it depends on a couple of factors. Power availability is one of them, but also just the size of the facility, zoning, et cetera. You can expect it to be, you know, approximately, you know, two to three years from the time we break ground till the time that we can bring that capacity online and start realizing revenue from it.

Speaker #5: Power availability is one of them, but also just the size of the facility's owning, etc. But you can expect it to be approximately two to three years from the time we break ground till the time that we can bring that capacity online and start realizing revenue from it.

Speaker #6: Okay. That's great. Thank you, Steve.

David Barden: Okay, that's great. Thank you, Steve.

Speaker #2: Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Jim Schneider of Goldman Sachs. Your line is now open.

Operator: Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Jim Schneider of Goldman Sachs. Your line is now open.

Speaker #8: Good morning. Thanks for taking my question. I was wondering if you could maybe just elaborate on the cost reduction program. Maybe specifically talk about what it sounds like many of the actions you mentioned Rod would be things you would have done in normal course already.

Jim Schneider: Good morning. Thanks for taking my question. I was wondering if you could maybe just elaborate on the cost reduction program. Maybe specifically talk about, you know, it sounds like many of the actions you mentioned, Rod, would be things you would have done in normal course already. I'm trying to understand, are you basically saying, or is the message that you'll be able to sort of achieve this 50 basis points on average per year in spite of some of the cost headwinds and margin headwinds that you mentioned earlier? Is there something sort of above and beyond that, and would you expect any nonlinearity in the achievement of those?

Speaker #8: So I'm trying to understand, are you basically saying or is the message that you'll be able to serve achieve this 50 basis points on average per year in spite of some of the cost headwinds and margin headwinds that you mentioned earlier?

Speaker #8: Or is there something sort of above and beyond that? And you would expect any non-linearity in the achievement of those?

Speaker #9: Yeah, thanks for the question, Jim. And I would highlight the fact that in the last several years, you've seen us really manage our SG&A and manage that down.

Rodney Smith: Yeah, thanks for the question, Jim. You know, I would highlight the fact that in the last several years, you've seen us really manage our SG&A and manage that down. We, of course, we don't announce when we're reducing staff and those sorts of things. Some of that activity certainly happened over the last three years as we rationalized SG&A across the board. When I mention a continuation, it really is a continuation of the mindset around cost management and cost controls. The thing that is different going forward is that we have a different global structure. We have the addition of a chief operating officer that is going to be bringing best practices around the globe in terms of the way we manage land expenses, the way we execute on supply chain and sourcing.

Speaker #9: Of course, we don't announce when we're reducing staff and those sorts of things. But some of that activity certainly happened over the last three years.

Speaker #9: As we rationalized SG&A across the board, when I mention a continuation, it really is a continuation of the mindset around cost management and cost controls.

Speaker #9: The thing that is different going forward is that we have a different global structure. We have the addition of a chief operating officer. That is going to be bringing best practices around the globe in terms of the way we manage land expenses the way we execute on supply chain and sourcing.

Speaker #9: We're going to be looking to expand the standard of care and the way we manage power operations in the U.S. globally, which we expect really will drive efficiency and bend that curve down.

Rodney Smith: We're gonna be looking to expand, the Standard of care and the way we manage tower operations, in the US globally, which we expect really will drive efficiency and bend that curve down, and that'll be a contributing factor to the margin expansion that we expect going out to 2030.

Speaker #9: And that'll be a contributing factor to the margin expansion that we expect going out to 2030.

Speaker #8: Thank you. And then as a follow-up, can you maybe comment on the Europe property growth expectations 9% new site? Seems like a lot. I'm just kind of curious where that's coming from and maybe talk about any kind of the flavor or underlying color on a country-by-country basis.

Jim Schneider: Thank you. As a follow-up, can you maybe comment on the Europe property growth expectations, you know, 9% new site? Seems like a lot. I'm just kind of curious where that's coming from, and maybe talk about any kind of the flavor or underlying color on a country-by-country basis. Thank you.

Speaker #8: Thank you.

Speaker #5: Sure, I'll take that one. So we're seeing a lot of good opportunities in Europe right now, and we have a strong portfolio anchored by Telefonica that's largely insulated from some of the potential consolidation that's out there.

Steven Vondran: Sure. I'll take that one. We're seeing a lot of good opportunities in Europe right now, and, you know, we have a strong portfolio anchored by Telefónica, that's largely insulated from some of the potential consolidation that's out there. As we look at Europe, you know, we're continuing to see a long runway of mid-single digit organic growth that we expect to realize there. As part of our acquisition, but also as part of some of our other agreements out there, we have the opportunity to build new sites. We're expecting to bring on board a record number of new builds in Europe next year. That's underpinning a lot of that growth. You know, it's largely in the countries you'd expect it to be.

Speaker #5: So as we look at Europe, we're continuing to see a long runway of mid-single digit organic taxability that we expect to realize there. And as part of our acquisition, but also as part of some of our other agreements out there, we have the opportunity to build new sites.

Speaker #5: So we're expecting to bring on board a record number of new builds in Europe next year. And so that's underpinning a lot of that growth.

Speaker #5: And it's largely in the countries you'd expect it to be. Our two main markets are Germany and Spain there. So you're going to see a lot of towers there.

Steven Vondran: Our two main markets are Germany and Spain. You're going to see a lot of towers there. We will bring some new towers online in France as well. We'd like to bring more online there. We like that country. We just don't have as much presence there as we'd like to have. What you're seeing there is a reflection of some really solid performance by our teams and earning the trust of our customers, and them giving us more opportunities to build sites for them, and that's what's underpinning the growth there, along with good leasing expectations over time. I would note that Europe in general is behind in deploying 5G compared to what the US is. I think that from that perspective, there's a lot more runway to continue to deploy 5G there as well.

Speaker #5: We will bring some new towers online in France as well. We'd like to bring more online there. We like that country. And we just don't have as much presence there as we'd like to have.

Speaker #5: But what you're seeing there is a reflection of some really solid performance by our teams and earning the trust of our customers. And then giving us more opportunities to build sites for them and that's what's underpinning the growth there along with good leasing expectations over time.

Speaker #5: I would note that Europe in general is behind in deploying 5G compared to what the US is. And so I think that from that perspective, there's a lot more runway to continue to deploy 5G there as well.

Speaker #5: So we feel good about the market. We feel good about the investments there. And what you're seeing in that 9% is really us continuing to build new sites as well as realizing our growth there as well.

Steven Vondran: We feel good about the market. We feel good about the investments there, and what you're seeing in that 9% is really us continuing to build new sites as well as realizing organic growth there as well.

Speaker #8: Thank you.

Jim Schneider: Thank you.

Speaker #2: Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of David Barden en of New Street Research. Your line is now open.

Operator: Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of David Barden of New Street Research. Your line is now open.

Speaker #10: Hey guys, thanks so much for taking the questions. I guess, regarding capital allocation, we talked a lot about returning capital and making new investments.

David Barden: Hey, guys. Thanks so much for taking the questions. I guess, you know, regarding capital allocation, you know, we talked a lot about returning capital and making new investments, but something we haven't talked about for a while, Steve, was kind of the pivot away from emerging markets.... I think the term of art is called capital recycling. If you go to slide 11 and you kind of look at that left-hand side, it looks like there's a lot of markets that, you know, are small enough to be distractions, and, you know, that money could be put to a higher and better use.

Speaker #10: But something we haven't talked about for a while, Steve, was kind of the pivot away from emerging markets. And I think the term of art is called capital recycling.

Speaker #10: And if you go to slide 11 and you kind of look at that left-hand side, it looks like there's a lot of markets that are small enough to be distractions, and that money could be put to a higher and better use.

Speaker #10: So if you could kind of talk to us a little bit about what the strategy there is at this stage, whether currencies and market valuations have stopped you from doing things or if things are on the burner.

David Barden: If you could kind of talk to us a little bit about what the strategy there is, you know, at this stage, whether currencies and market valuations have stopped you from doing things or if things are on the burner. I guess my next question is a little offbeat, but, you know, for the last 5 years, if anyone asked, Hey, how satellites going to affect the terrestrial wireless business? You know, you'd roll your eyes and you'd say, you know, it's never gonna have an impact.

Speaker #10: And then I guess my next question is a little offbeat, but for the last five years, if anyone asked, "Hey, how satellite can affect the terrestrial wireless business?" You'd roll your eyes and you'd say, "Nah, it's never going to have an impact." But now that you're starting to talk about 2030 margin expansion, 2030 6G as a driver, and the reality that these legal constellations are going to evolve ways, how do you kind of get comfort right now looking into 2030 that this kind of evolution of connectivity powers in the sky, so to speak, isn't an equivalently disruptive an equivalent to, say, the AI evolution, which you also expect to happen in the next five years?

David Barden: Now that you're starting to talk about 2030 margin expansion, 2030 6G as a driver, and, you know, the reality that these LEO constellations are going to evolve over those five years in material ways, how do you kind of get comfort right now, looking into 2030, that, you know, this kind of evolution of connectivity, powers in the sky, so to speak, you know, isn't an equivalently disruptive, you know, an equivalent to, say, the AI evolution, which you also expect to happen in the next five years? Thanks.

Speaker #10: Thanks.

Speaker #5: Yeah. Well, let me. The emerging market question on that. And our goal is always to establish a real estate portfolio that's giving us industry-leading AFFO per share.

Steven Vondran: Well, let me see, the emerging market question on that. You know, our goal is always to establish a real estate portfolio that's giving us industry-leading AFFO per share. We made a pivot a couple of years ago to focus more of our development CapEx in the developed markets because we thought that was gonna give us the best durable growth over time, and because we had gotten a little ahead of ourselves in terms of emerging market exposure, giving some of the challenges that we saw there with India and other things. We've already made a number of changes to our portfolio mix there. I referenced some of the smaller countries, and we'll always evaluate those countries to see what the best use of capital is on that.

Speaker #5: And we made a pivot a couple of years ago to focus more of our development CapEx in the developed markets because we thought that was going to give us the best durable growth over time.

Speaker #5: And because we had gotten a little ahead of ourselves in terms of emerging market exposure, given some of the challenges that we saw there with India and other things.

Speaker #5: So we've already made a number of changes to our portfolio mix there. You referenced some of the smaller countries. And we'll always evaluate those countries to see what the best use of capital is on that.

Speaker #5: And you could see us do something there, but only if we think we're realizing the value of those that's accretive to our shareholders. So we're not going to do any fire sales.

Steven Vondran: You could see us do something there, but only if we think we're realizing the value of those that's accretive to our shareholders. We're not gonna do any fire sales. We're not gonna eliminate something because it's a distraction. What we've done to fix that is we've changed our operating model so that they're operating from regional hubs or through these kind of global organizations. It's really not a distraction for us. It's all about what value can we realize and does that make sense? If it does, you might see us take action. Otherwise, we're gonna harvest that cash flow and redeploy it into our capital priorities that we outlined there. You know, again, just when there's news there, we'll let you know, but until then, we're gonna continue with those.

Speaker #5: We're not going to eliminate something because it's a distraction. What we've done to fix that is we've changed our operating model so that they're operating from regional hubs or through these kind of global organizations.

Speaker #5: So, it's really not a distraction for us. So, it's all about what value can we realize, and does that make sense? And if it does, you might see us take action.

Speaker #5: Otherwise, we're going to harvest that cash flow and redeploy it into our capital priorities that we outlined there. So again, just when there's news there, we'll let you know.

Speaker #5: But until then, we're going to continue. Those. When it comes to satellites, the reason that we made an investment in AST Space Mobile was to get aboard seat so that we would have a front row seat to this technology as it unfolds.

Steven Vondran: When it comes to satellites, you know, the reason that we made an investment in AST SpaceMobile was to get a board seat so that we would have a front-row seat to this technology as it unfolds. We certainly, you know, continue to monitor that. We talk to the engineers in the space, we talk to the dreamers in the space and what they're trying to do. That gives us a lot of confidence that satellites will be complementary to the terrestrial networks.

Speaker #5: And we certainly continue to monitor that. We talked to the engineers in the space. We talked to the dreamers in the space and what they're trying to do.

Speaker #5: And that gives us a lot of confidence that satellites will be complementary to the terrestrial networks. 6G is likely to be designed with satellites being an integral part of an integrated network.

Steven Vondran: 6G is likely to be designed with satellites being an integral part of an integrated network. The simple physics of spectrum, the simple economics of having a constellation that has to consistently be replenished over time, means that towers will always be the cheapest and best way of deploying the level of content, the volume of mobile data that consumers demand. While we think the satellite business is a great business, it's gonna be a good complement to the networks, and we certainly are excited about the developments we're seeing in that area. We see no risk at all to the tower business over the long term, because, again, towers will always be a cheaper form of delivering a mass amount of data to the consumer, and the satellites just can't compete with that.

Speaker #5: But the simple physics of spectrum, the simple economics of having a constellation that has to consistently be replenished over time, means that towers will always be the cheapest and best way of deploying the level of content—that volume of mobile data—that consumers demand.

Speaker #5: So, while we think the satellite business is a great business, it's going to be a good complement to the networks. And we certainly are excited about the developments we're seeing in that area.

Speaker #5: We see no risk at all to the tower business over the long term. Because, again, towers will always be a cheaper form of delivering a mass amount of data to the consumer.

Speaker #5: And the satellites just can't compete with that.

Speaker #11: Hey, David. David, I'm going to add a couple of data points for you to think about, too, to support Steve's discussion around us being an active portfolio manager.

Rodney Smith: Hey, David, I'm gonna add a couple of just data points for you to think about to support Steve's discussion around us being an active portfolio manager. The evidence here is that we sold India. We took the proceeds from that sale, we delevered and helped us get down below our 5x. You also saw us exit businesses in different markets around the world. Again, we used those proceeds from those sales to delever the balance sheet and to help us regain that financial flexibility. Most recently, we announced it in the prepared remarks and in the press release, we sold half of our stake in AST SpaceMobile. That was just a modest investment. We really invested in to stay close to the satellite business and to learn as learn about that business going forward.

Speaker #11: The evidence here is that we sold India and we took the proceeds from that sale and we deleveraged and helped us get down below our five times.

Speaker #11: You also saw us exit businesses in different markets around the world. And again, we use those proceeds from those sales to deleverage the balance sheet and to help us regain that financial flexibility.

Speaker #11: In most recently, and we announced it in the prepared remarks and in the press release, we sold half of our stake in AST Mobile.

Speaker #11: That was just a modest investment. We really invested in it to stay close to the satellite business and to learn as learn about that business going forward.

Speaker #11: There's no secret the stock has done well. The company has done well. And we looked at it as a good opportunity to recycle some of that capital so we sold half the stake.

Rodney Smith: There's no secret the stock has done well, the company has done well, and we looked at it as a good opportunity to recycle some of that capital. We sold half the stake. We used that to actually buy back shares in the last quarter, and we maintained a board seat on AST, so we still have the ability to continue to learn.

Speaker #11: We used that to actually buy back shares. In the last quarter. And we maintained aboard seat on AST. So we still have the ability to continue to learn.

Speaker #12: Thanks, Rob.

David Barden: Thanks, Rod Smith.

Speaker #13: Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Brennan Nispel of KeyBanc Capital Markets. Your line is now open. Brennan, if you'd like to unmute.

Operator: Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Brandon Nispel of KeyBanc Capital Markets. Your line is now open. Brandon, if you'd like to unmute.

Speaker #12: Can you guys hear me?

Brandon Nispel: Can you guys hear me?

Speaker #13: Yes, we can hear you.

Operator: Yes, we can hear you.

Speaker #12: Great. Two questions. Obviously, the US XDISH is pretty steady. I guess if we could remove DISH from the last three years, it still seems like Colo and Amendment activity is down.

Brandon Nispel: Great. Two questions. Obviously, the US X Dish is pretty steady. I guess if we could remove Dish from the last 3 years, it still seems like colo and amendment activity is down. Is that right? Just to nitpick a little bit, why is the second half of the year lower than the first half? How should we be thinking about that in terms of the exit rate? How should that inform our view in terms of 2027? Separately, in Africa, one of your largest customers just announced their intent to acquire some towers for their own, I guess. Wondering how you're thinking about that in terms of your view, when one of your largest customers now wants to own a captive tower portfolio, how does that impact your growth expectations for that market? Thanks.

Speaker #12: Is that right? And, just to nitpick a little bit, why is the second half of the year lower than the first half? And how should we be thinking about that in terms of the exit rate?

Speaker #12: How should that inform our view in terms of 2027? And then separately, in Africa, one of your largest customers just announced their intent to acquire some towers for their own.

Speaker #12: I guess. So wondering how you're thinking about that in terms of your view when one of your largest customers now wants to own a captive tower portfolio.

Speaker #12: How does that impact your growth expectations for that market? Thanks. Thanks. I'll take the Africa question first. We don't expect it to have any effect on our business there at all.

Steven Vondran: Thanks. I'll take the Africa question first. We don't expect it to have any effect on our business there at all. We view that transaction as unrelated to the business we have there. If you look at the sales success that we had in 2025, we're doing very well in Africa in terms of our new business there, and our projections for 2026 are to have another good year of that. We don't think that the acquisition of the other tower company really has any bearing on that at all. As we've said previously, our goal is to reduce the incremental capital that we're putting into Africa over time, and that means that we're not gonna be building as many new sites for the carrier customers there.

Speaker #12: We view that transaction as unrelated to the business we have there. If you look at the sales success that we had in 2025, we're doing very well in Africa in terms of our new business there.

Speaker #12: And our projections for 2026 are to have another good year of that. We don't think that the acquisition of the other tower company really has any bearing on that at all.

Speaker #12: As we've said previously, our goal is to reduce the incremental capital that we're putting into Africa over time. And that means that we're not going to be building as many new sites for the carrier customers there.

Speaker #12: And so I think that what you're seeing play out in the various changes that are happening in Africa are reflective of our customers there looking for other alternatives versus American Tower in terms of how they're going to build some of those sites in their network.

Steven Vondran: I think that what you're seeing play out, you know, in the various changes that are happening in Africa, are reflective of our customers there, looking for other alternatives versus American Tower, in terms of how they're gonna build some of those sites in their network. You know, we feel good about that business. We think that we're gonna continue to have a nice long runway of organic growth there.

Speaker #12: So we feel good about that business. We think that we're going to continue to have a nice long runway of organic growth there.

Speaker #11: Hey, Brandon. I guess keeping with the theme here and working backwards, I'll answer your second question, which is the timing and the pacing of new business.

Rodney Smith: Hey, Brandon, I guess keeping with the theme here and working backwards, I'll answer your second question, which is the timing and the pacing of new business. I referred to the fact that there will be a slightly higher number or contribution in the first half of the year, and it ticks down really ever so slightly. It's simply just a function of the way that our holistic agreements work, as well as the timing of activity that we expect to see, and there's nothing more to it than that. Your first question, again, related to kinda going back over several years and the contribution and activity level that we've seen in the US and how it relates to our organic growth. I'll point out a couple of things.

Speaker #11: So I referred to the fact that there will be a slightly higher number or contribution in the first half of the year, and it ticks down really ever so slightly.

Speaker #11: It’s simply just a function of the way that our holistic agreements work, as well as the timing of activity that we expect to see.

Speaker #11: And there's nothing more to it than that. Your first question, related to kind of going back over several years and the contribution and activity level that we've seen in the US and how it relates to our organic growth.

Speaker #11: I'll point out a couple of things. A few years ago, you did see us achieve record levels of new business. And there were a couple of drivers to that.

Rodney Smith: A few years ago, you did see us achieve record levels of new business. There were a couple of drivers to that. One is there was an initial phase, initial wave of 5G networks, carriers deploying and upgrading their network with C-band spectrum. That came with an initial spike in CapEx, where we saw the carrier CapEx of the US come up over $40 billion. There was a significant push to begin that 5G launch, and that's typically what we see in the industry when a new technology is deployed. After that initial wave, we do see a moderation of the CapEx and a more steadying, albeit a step up, in terms of CapEx.

Speaker #11: One is there was an initial phase, initial wave of 5G networks carriers deploying and upgrading their network with CBAN, Spectrum. That came with an initial spike in CapEx.

Speaker #11: We saw the carrier CapEx in the US come up over $40 billion. So there was a significant push to begin that 5G launch. And that's typically what we see in the industry when a new technology is deployed.

Speaker #11: After that initial wave, we do see a moderation of the CapEx and a more steadying albeit a step up in terms of CapEx. So we may not be seeing a repeat of the all-time high that we saw in the initial wave of 5G.

Rodney Smith: We may not be seeing a repeat of the all-time high that we saw in the initial wave of 5G, but the steady state now, more in the mid-thirty billion dollar range, is higher than the steady state that we saw in CapEx under the 4G cycle. It moderates, but there is a step up that's consistent over time. The other thing I would highlight is, over the last several years, you saw contributions from Dish to new business and organic growth for the tower companies over the last several years. Going forward, that's no longer in the numbers.

Speaker #11: But the steady state now, more in the mid $30 billion range, is higher than the steady state that we saw in CapEx under the 4G cycle.

Speaker #11: So it moderates, but there is a step up that's consistent over time. And the other thing I would highlight is, over the last several years, you saw contributions from DISH to new business and organic growth for the tower companies over the last several years.

Speaker #11: Going forward, that's no longer in the numbers. So that said, when you think about the state of the industry today and the three wireless carriers, they're well capitalized, healthy, and they are contributing a consistent level of activity in 2026 that we saw in prior years.

Rodney Smith: That said, when you think about the state of the industry today and the three wireless carriers, they're well capitalized, healthy, and they are contributing a consistent level of activity in 26 that we saw in prior years, and we expect that to continue going forward.

Speaker #11: And we expect that to continue going forward.

Steven Vondran: Thanks for taking the questions.

Speaker #12: Thanks for taking the questions.

Speaker #13: Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Brendan Lynch of Barclays. Your line is now open.

Operator: Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Brendan Lynch of Barclays. Your line is now open.

Speaker #12: Great. Thanks for taking my questions. Rod, maybe just to follow up on that commentary there that was very helpful and kind of framing out the longer-term outlook.

Brendan Lynch: Great, thanks for taking my questions. Rod Smith, maybe just to follow up on that commentary there, that was very helpful in kind of framing out the longer-term outlook. You've previously guided to 5% organic growth through 2027. Obviously, with Dish Network not in the picture now, that is coming down a little bit. How should we think about that long-term growth going forward? We get back into about 4.5%, and that's what you're suggesting for this year. Should we anticipate that that continues out into the future as well?

Speaker #12: You've previously guided to 5% organic growth through 2027. Obviously, with DISH now in the picture now, that is coming down a little bit. How should we think about that long-term growth going forward?

Speaker #12: We get back into about four and a half percent, and that's what you're suggesting for this year. Should we anticipate that that continues out into the future as well?

Speaker #12: I'll actually take that one. Back in early 2021, when we set out that expectation—U.S. and Canada organic growth of 5% or better between 2023 and 2027—that was based on the growth drivers that we saw at the time.

Steven Vondran: I'll actually take that one. Back in early 2021, when we set out that expectation for US and Canada organic growth of 5% or better between 2023 and 2027, that was based on the growth drivers that we saw at the time. What we didn't have in our view shed then was the trying to sell its spectrum and exit the market effectively, and also T-Mobile completing an action of UScellular. Those are things that have taken us off of that guide, as you know, this year in particular. However, everything else is kind of playing out the way we expected it to. If you look at the past several years, you know, we achieved 5% up until last year when those transactions were announced.

Speaker #12: And what we didn't the DISH deciding to sell its Spectrum and exit the market effectively. And also T-Mobile completely an action of US cellular.

Speaker #12: So, those are things that have taken us off of that guide, as you know, this year in particular. However, everything else is kind of playing out the way that we expected it to.

Speaker #12: And if you look at the past several years, we achieved 5% up until last year when those transactions were announced. And so as we think about going forward, and we're not going to give 2027 guidance here, but as we think about going forward, our long-term growth algorithm that we've laid out for you guys, we believe still holds true.

Steven Vondran: As we think about going forward, we're not gonna give 2027 guidance here. As we think about going forward, our long-term growth algorithm that we've laid out for you guys, we still holds true. That is organic growth in our developed markets in the mid-single digits, a little bit higher in our emerging markets, higher contributions from CoreSite because we see double-digit growth in revenue in CoreSite. We're gonna have expanding margins because of our cost control. As we think about that long-term growth algorithm that we laid out, we're still confident in our ability to deliver that, you know, even in a three-carrier market.

Speaker #12: And that is organic growth in our developed markets and the mid-single digits a little bit higher in our emerging markets. Higher contributions from core site because we see double-digit growth in revenue and core site.

Speaker #12: And we're going to have expanding margins because of our cost control. So, as we think about that long-term growth algorithm that we laid out, we're still confident in our ability to deliver that, even in a three-carrier market.

Speaker #13: Great, thank you. That's helpful. And maybe just one on the data center front. Can you describe to what extent you're seeing actual inferencing demand, and specifically low-latency inferencing demand, at CoreSite?

Brendan Lynch: Great. Thank you. That's helpful. Maybe just one on the data center front. Can you describe to what extent you're seeing actual inferencing demand and specifically low latency inferencing demand at CoreSite?

Speaker #12: I can speak to inferencing demand. It's hard to say if it's low latency because the whole campus is low latency, based on the way we've organized it. But what we've seen is an uptick in inferencing—it is one of our leading new use cases that's coming in.

Steven Vondran: I can speak to inferencing demand. It's hard to say if it's low latency, because the whole campus is low latency, based on the way we've organized it. What we've seen is an uptick in inferencing. It is one of our leading new use cases that's coming in, and quite frankly, we have more demand for it than we can meet with our supply. We're able to curate our mix of inferencing partners there, and that's helping us keep the risk, you know, the business model risk down, 'cause we're only choosing the best names in the space in terms of who can go in our facilities. We could do more if we had more space, quite frankly.

Speaker #12: And quite frankly, we have more demand for it than we can meet with our supply. So we're able to curate our mix of inferencing partners there and that's helping us keep the risk.

Speaker #12: The business model risk down because we're only choosing the best names in the space in terms of who can go in our facilities. We could do more if we had more space, quite frankly.

Speaker #12: There's a lot of demand out there for it. But because we're still curating our customer mix, we're still trying to make sure that we have that right balance of clouds, networks, and enterprises, and I would throw inferencing in as kind of the new fourth characteristic of it.

Steven Vondran: There's a lot of demand out there for it, but because we're still curating our customer mix, we're still trying to make sure that we have that right balance of, you know, clouds, networks, and enterprises, and I would throw inferencing in as kind of the new fourth characteristic of it. Because we're still curating that mix, we're just not taking everything that comes in the door.

Speaker #12: But because we're still curating that mix, we're just not taking everything that comes in the door.

Speaker #13: Great. Thank you. Thank you. Our final question comes from the line of Richard Cho of JPMorgan. Your line is now open.

Michael Rollins: Great. Thank you.

Operator: Thank you. Our final question comes from the line of Richard Choe of J.P. Morgan. Your line is now open.

Richard Choe: Hi. I wanted to ask a follow-up on the data centers. Kind of what kind of renewal pricing are you seeing and overall pricing for new business? Back to the tower business, if you can give us a sense of what kind of pipeline of applications you are seeing, and has that shifted at all, and at some point, do you see it kind of inflecting higher?

Speaker #14: Hi. I wanted to ask a follow-up on the data centers—kind of what kind of renewal pricing are you seeing, and overall, pricing for new business?

Speaker #14: And then back to the tower business, if you can give us a sense of what kind of pipeline of applications you are seeing and has that shifted at all?

Speaker #14: And at some point, do you see it kind of inflecting higher?

Speaker #12: Sure. So I'll start with the data center question. I'm sorry, pricing. So we're seeing generally higher pricing our mark-to-market continues to exceed what it's been over kind of historical norms on that.

Steven Vondran: Sure. I'll start with the data center question. I'm sorry, pricing. We're seeing generally higher pricing. Our mark-to-market continues to exceed what it's been over kind of historical norms on that, so that's a really good indication of that. The market level pricing does continue to rise because there is this imbalance between supply and demand. You know, I don't have any specifics for you in terms of percentages there. We're not putting that kind of level of information out there. Overall, it's going up, and that's enabling us to continue to underwrite mid-teens or better returns on the new incremental capital that we're putting in.

Speaker #12: So that's a really good indication of that. And then the market-level pricing does continue to rise because there is this imbalance between supply and demand.

Speaker #12: And so I don't have any specifics for you in terms of percentages there. We're not putting that kind of level of information out there.

Speaker #12: But it's overall it's going up. And that's enabling us to continue to underwrite mid-teens or better returns on the new incremental capital that we're putting in because as we're creating that new space, even though you do have a little bit of cost pressure from inflation and tariffs, things like that, we're able to pass that through in the form of higher pricing to keep those stabilized returns kind of in that mid-teens range.

Steven Vondran: Because, you know, as we're creating that new space, even though you do have a little bit of cost pressure from inflation, tariffs, things like that, we're able to pass that through in the form of higher pricing to keep those stabilized returns kind of in that mid-teens range. We feel very good about that over time. In terms of the application pipeline on towers, we are expecting slightly fewer number of total applications this year, but that's not reflective of anything other than a couple of the carriers are largely through their initial 5G overlays. A lot of that was, you know, kind of amendment business that was likely covered in a lot of our holistic agreements anyway. There's no real read-through on that in terms of customer demand or property revenue.

Speaker #12: So we feel very good about that over time. In terms of the application pipeline on towers, we are expecting slightly fewer number of total applications this year, but that's not reflective of anything other than a couple of the carriers are largely through their initial 5G overlays.

Speaker #12: And so a lot of that was kind of amendment business that was likely covered in a lot of our holistic agreements anyway. So there's no real read-through on that in terms of customer demand or property revenue.

Speaker #12: And in terms of an inflection, what we're seeing is an inflection is a higher number of new colocations coming in, which is very positive because those come in at higher revenue per transaction.

Steven Vondran: In terms of an inflection, you know, what we're seeing is an inflection, is a higher number of new colocations coming in, which is very positive, because those come in, you know, at higher revenue per transaction than the amendments do. I would say, you know, again, it's an overall consistent level of activity year-over-year, and it's consistent with what we expected to see at this point, and we expect it to be at that level or better in the future as they switch to densifying their networks.

Speaker #12: Then the amendments do. But I would say, again, it's an overall consistent level of activity year over year, and it's consistent with what we expected to see at this point.

Speaker #12: And we expected to be at that level or better in the future as they switch identifying their networks.

Speaker #13: Thank you.

Richard Choe: Thank you.

Speaker #14: Thank you. This concludes the question and answer session. I'd like to thank you for your participation in today's conference. This does conclude the program, and you may now disconnect.

Operator: Thank you. This concludes the question and answer session. I'd like to thank you for your participation in today's conference. This does conclude the program, and you may now disconnect.

Q4 2025 American Tower Corp Earnings Call

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