BEAD: Update for the Lone Star State

We have updated our BEAD analysis to include the proposal from Texas which was allocated the largest amount of BEAD funding. We now include BEAD proposals from 52 states & territories in our below analysis. We have also updated the analysis for states that have revised their proposals.

BEAD: Update for 3 More States

In this latest update, we now include BEAD proposals from 51 states & territories. We have updated our analysis for Alaska, Florida and Utah. Comcast, Brightspeed and AT&T remain at the top of the list among wireline operators. Fiber remains the dominant technology both in terms of locations as well as funding.

BEAD: Impact of Price caps on funding

Based on a leaked internal NTIA memo related to BEAD, it seems like the final proposals by the states may not be final and the NTIA may force them to make changes to their plans. We have analyzed all the proposals so far and estimate that Comcast, AT&T and Frontier may be most impacted by these rules. However, the overall impact isn’t material.

China Tower (Buy, TP: HK$14, +20%) Q3 25 Quick Take: Slower on softer Tower trends; lower D&A costs anticipated from useful life extension

Results were a touch behind expectations following an extended decline in Tower revenue, led by lower ARP/Tenant. This impacted margins which partially offset the stabilising/lower D&A costs, resulting in slower earnings growth. Importantly, the company has flagged an increase in useful life of its DAS assets from 7 to 10 years starting from July and is expected to lower its D&A costs by RMB 870m in 2025. This represents 1.7% of consensus D&A costs. Our key takeaways below

Robotaxis: Why isn’t Waymo ramping faster?

Cellnex (Reduce) Implications from the SFR offer

Following the initial offer for SFR, we discuss potential implications for Cellnex given that 4-3 consolidation has been seen as a risk for the tower sector.