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Wireless News Desk $725 Million to Acquire Nortel's Assets
Sends Open Letter to All Nortel Stakeholders
By: Yeshim Deniz
Jul. 21, 2009 08:45 PM
MPAM Wireless., an affiliate of MatlinPatterson, submitted to Nortel and its creditor constituencies a proposal to acquire substantially all of Nortel's CDMA and LTE Access assets for US$725 million. MatlinPatterson believes that its alternative proposal is higher and better than the "stalking horse" bid from Nokia Siemens Networks B.V. ("NSN") and provides, on multiple fronts, a superior outcome for Nortel and all of its stakeholders. Fellow Nortel Stakeholders: Nortel is a unique company with a rich heritage, talented employees, an enviable customer base and innovative technologies. MatlinPatterson recognizes the value inherent in Nortel and believes that its proposal is the best way to maximize this value. MatlinPatterson is confident that the CDMA and LTE Access assets can emerge from bankruptcy as a reinvigorated, independent company. We have significant experience investing in this industry, and we have spent considerable time over the last several months evaluating Nortel's businesses. As such, and because MatlinPatterson has been an investor in Nortel for some time now, we are unwilling to accept and will actively take steps to prevent a 'fire sale' of Nortel's core assets followed by the wholesale liquidation of the remaining businesses. Having worked expeditiously during the short timeframe provided by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, MatlinPatterson and its dedicated team of advisors, through MPAM Wireless, Inc., have today put forward an alternative proposal that we believe represents a significant step towards forming a reorganized, viable and strong New Nortel. MPAM Wireless's alternative proposal is substantially similar to the NSN proposal, but it is notably different in that it offers $75 million more than NSN's bid for the selected CDMA and LTE Access assets, it provides existing creditors with the opportunity to participate side-by-side with MPAM Wireless in its investment, and it creates potentially value-enhancing alternatives for additional Nortel assets other than liquidation. MPAM Wireless's proposal also creates opportunities to form strategic partnerships with industry leaders to further leverage the Nortel assets, including the development of the LTE Access assets. We welcome the opportunity to develop these alliances. MatlinPatterson, through its affiliate, has submitted an alternative proposal because we believe that Nortel's assets, its technologies and its people are outstanding. Nortel's CDMA business remains highly valuable and will continue to generate strong cash flow for many years to come. MatlinPatterson has a long-term investment outlook, and if we are successful in acquiring the CDMA and LTE Access assets, we will commit to achieving their full potential: we will look to partner with the existing Nortel management team and we will pursue opportunities to acquire additional Nortel assets as they become available during the Nortel Chapter 11 cases. We believe that Nortel's assets, under the right stewardship, can form the core of a reorganized Nortel with a bright future as a well-capitalized, stand-alone entity. We are confident that our proposal provides the best outcome for all of Nortel's stakeholders, as detailed below: Benefits of MatlinPatterson's Proposal For All Stakeholders
For Employees
For Customers and Suppliers
MatlinPatterson appreciates the support that it has received from other Nortel creditors as well as the company's employees, customers, suppliers and other stakeholders. We look forward to successfully completing this process, to creating a brighter future for Nortel, and to working with Nortel's talented employees and customers around the world for many years to come. BMO Capital Markets and Broadpoint.Gleacher Securities Group are serving as financial advisors to MatlinPatterson and Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP and Bracewell & Giuliani LLP are serving as legal advisors
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