American Tower Corporation is one of the large US and international tower companies. As of year-end 2023, they own 42,857 towers in the US along with another 800 “properties” which primarily consist of distributed antenna systems and rooftop sites. American Tower Corporation generates revenue by collocating space on its towers to wireless carriers. Overall, 44% of its revenue comes from international carriers and 56% from the US. In the US, this revenue is generated primarily from the Big 4 wireless carriers.
As of the end of 3Q 2023, American Tower had an average of 30 years remaining on average for all its cell tower ground leases in the US which represents a 6-year increase from the same time in 2014. (In other words, American Tower continues to buy or extend its leases.) Of the towers ATC owns in the U.S., approximately 90% of them are on property where the property owner only has one tower lease altogether with American Tower. This means that ATC is a party to leases with over 35,000 individual property owners.
From 2020-2023, American Tower has paid over $628,000,000 to property owners to purchase their leases. Typically, American Tower does this by purchasing a long-term easement under the lease from the landowner. (see quick fact #3 above)
Over the last 20 years, Steel in the Air has assisted over 700 landowners who have been contacted by American Tower Corporation regarding lease proposals, extensions, and buyouts. We have reviewed thousands of proposals from ATC. As part of our day-to-day operations, we track these proposals so that our clients have the benefit of knowing what American Tower offers initially and what they will ultimately agree to. We can bring this experience to bear on your situation, and provide actual knowledge of how ATC negotiates and either negotiate or assist you in negotiating your lease with American Tower Corporation.
Please contact us to discuss any questions you might have about a proposal you have received from American Tower Corporation. The initial discussion is free and once we talk to you and understand your needs, we can advise you as to what the costs would be should you choose to retain our services. Unlike our competitors, we offer the flexibility of either a fixed-fee consulting service or a contingency-based service.