Exhibit 99.2
Friday January 19, 3:00 am Eastern Time
Press Release
SOURCE: SpectraSite Transco Communications SAS
SpectraSite Partners with SOFRER to Create Wireless Tower Powerhouse in France
LONDON, Jan. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- SpectraSite Transco Communications SAS, the
French subsidiary of SpectraSite Transco Communications Ltd, has purchased 19%
of the share capital of Paris-based telecommunications network development
company SOFRER S.A.
As part of the purchase of equity, SpectraSite Transco Communications SAS will
become a member of the Supervisory Board of SOFRER and will have the exclusive
right to purchase the remaining share capital of SOFRER.
SOFRER is the leading network deployment company in France, with a client base
that includes some of Europe's largest operators. SOFRER deployed more than
2,500 wireless sites last year, and currently has 1,700 sites in progress.
SpectraSite Transco is one of Europe's leading tower owners, and is currently
deploying "2G" and "3G" networks in the U.K. Together, the companies will
provide French wireless operators with a complete network buildout solution.
Steve Clark, CEO of SpectraSite, said: "Our research shows that France is one of
the most attractive wireless markets in Europe and SOFRER is clearly the best
wireless deployment company in the market. Combining SOFRER's network
development prowess in France with SpectraSite's proven tower ownership
capability brings us closer to our goal of becoming the leading independent
tower operator in Europe."
Christophe Corbel, President of SOFRER, said: "We are excited about our new
relationship with SpectraSite. Their network deployment experience will provide
us with a significant advantage as 3G is deployed in France. Aligning SOFRER
with one of the world's leading tower operators will create a number of new
opportunities for our company."
SpectraSite will host a conference call to discuss the above announcement as
well as its U.K. operations on January 23, 2001 at 11:00 a.m. (EDT). Those
wishing to listen to the call can dial 888-209-3790 or visit the company's
investor relations web site at http://www.spectrasite.com. A replay will be
available until midnight, January 30, 2001 by dialing 800-633-8284 and entering
the reservation code 17721243. The replay will also be available on the company
investor relations site.
About SOFRER
SOFRER is a leading telecommunications site and network deployment company in
France. SOFRER's skills include development of radio networks and the
installation of equipment in the scope of turnkey deployment projects.
Furthermore, SOFRER supplies maintenance and other services for
telecommunications sites. SOFRER has offices in France, Spain, Portugal,
Belgium, Poland and the Netherlands. SOFRER's clients include many of Europe's
largest operators, including Belgacom, Bouygues Telecom, Cegetel, LandTel, New
Orange, and Telefonica.
About SpectraSite Transco
SpectraSite Transco is a leading provider of shared infrastructure solutions to
wireless operators in Europe. In the UK, SpectraSite Transco has a footprint of
700 existing structures, with access to a land bank of 30,000 potential sites.
About SpectraSite Communications, Inc.
SpectraSite Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: SITE - news), based in Cary, North
Carolina, USA, is one of the leading providers of shared antennae sites and
outsourced network services to the wireless communications and broadcast
industries in the United States and Canada. SpectraSite's business includes
owning and leasing antennae sites on towers, owning and leasing in-building
wireless distribution systems, owning and managing rooftops, network planning
and deployment, and construction of towers and related wireless facilities. Pro
forma for all pending transactions SpectraSite will own or manage more than
28,000 sites. SpectraSite's customers are leading wireless communications
providers and broadcasters, including Nextel, SBC, Sprint PCS, AT&T Wireless,
Verizon, BellSouth, Telecorp, Teligent, Winstar, Metricom, Cox Broadcasting,
Clear Channel Communications and Paxson Communications.
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" concerning future
expectations, plans or strategies that involve a number of risks and
uncertainties. The Company wishes to caution readers that certain factors may
have affected the Company's actual results and could cause results for
subsequent periods to differ materially from those expressed in any
forward-looking statement made by or on behalf of the Company. Such factors
include, but are not limited to (i) substantial capital requirements and
leverage principally as a consequence of its ongoing acquisitions and
construction activities, (ii) dependence on demand for wireless communications,
(iii) the success of the Company's tower construction program and (iv) the
successful operational integration of the Company's business acquisitions. The
Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect
subsequently occurring events or circumstances.
SOURCE: SpectraSite Transco Communications SAS