Why Are The Major Tower Companies Focused On North America?

At the PCIA’s 2013 Wireless Infrastructure Show in Hollywood, Florida earlier this week the four CEO’s of the major tower companies gathered to discuss hot topics within the industry. John Adelstein wanted to know why the focus of these companies is mostly domestic.

“We’ve built a foundation in the US and try to deploy US mobile into emerging markets. We look at the financial risk and the economical risks involved with those markets. There are usually no tower companies in emerging markers, but this is our home base and we’ll always look to enhance our infrastructure and further develop here in the U.S. as well as internationally,” Steven Marshall, Executive Vice President and President, U.S. Tower Division of American Tower.

Ben Moreland, CEO and President of Crown Castle, explained that, “The North American market is the most attractive market in the world. We’ve added over 7,000 sites last year. We’re certainly looking into other markets in North America. We’ve looked at South America and Eastern Europe but we’re going to stay with our strategy to become a leader in the North American market.

Jeff Stoops of SBA Communications noted that, “We decide where we want to capitalize the company. It’s all about creating the most value for our public shareholders.”

It was agreed upon that the tower industry is a global industry, but deciding which markets to expand in depends on the goals of the companies and whether or not it makes the most sense financially for the public shareholders and the company at large.