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Ribbon Communications Inc. Announces Closing of New $385 Million Senior Secured Credit Facility

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3 months ago

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Proceeds will be used to repay outstanding debt under current credit facility and to redeem Series A Preferred Stock

PLANO, Texas, June 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Ribbon Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: RBBN) (“Ribbon”), a global provider of real time communications technology and IP optical networking solutions to many of the world’s largest service providers, enterprises, and critical infrastructure operators to modernize and protect their networks, today announced that it has completed the previously announced $385 million senior secured credit facility (the “2024 Credit Facility”) comprised of a $350 million term loan and a $35 million revolving credit facility. Proceeds from the term loan under the 2024 Credit Facility will be used to refinance the prior credit facility, redeem in full Ribbon’s outstanding Series A Preferred Stock and pay fees, costs and expenses related to the 2024 Credit Facility.  Excess proceeds from the term loan will be used for working capital and other general corporate purposes.

Loans under the 2024 Credit Facility will mature on June 21, 2029.  The loans will initially bear interest at a rate per annum equal to SOFR plus 6.25%.  After Ribbon delivers the financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 pursuant to the 2024 Credit Facility, the interest rate will be SOFR plus a margin of 5.75% to 6.25% depending on the Company’s consolidated net leverage.  At the Company’s option, interest may be calculated using an alternative base rate plus a margin ranging from 4.75% to 5.25%.  Outstanding amounts under the 2024 Credit Facility are secured by substantially all of the assets of Ribbon, and certain of the Ribbon’s subsidiaries. 

HPS Investment Partners, LLC will serve as Administrative Agent under the 2024 Credit Facility and HPS Investment Partners, LLC and WhiteHorse Capital served as joint lead arrangers and bookrunners.

“We are pleased to complete this important milestone for the Company that provides us with the right capital structure as we look to continue to profitably grow the business,” said Mick Lopez, Chief Financial Officer of Ribbon Communications.  “We believe that HPS and WhiteHorse Capital will be excellent financial partners due to their strategic perspective and financial strength.  With them, we believe our capital structure will have the flexibility to address our future growth opportunities.”

In connection with the closing of the 2024 Credit Facility, the Company also issued a notice of redemption in full of its Series A Preferred Stock.  Under the terms of the redemption, the Series A Preferred Stock will be redeemed on June 25, 2024.

About Ribbon 
Ribbon Communications (Nasdaq: RBBN) delivers communications software, IP and optical networking solutions to service providers, enterprises and critical infrastructure sectors globally. We engage deeply with our customers, helping them modernize their networks for improved competitive positioning and business outcomes in today’s smart, always-on and data-hungry world. Our innovative, end-to-end solutions portfolio delivers unparalleled scale, performance, and agility, including core to edge software-centric solutions, cloud-native offers, leading-edge security and analytics tools, along with IP and optical networking solutions for 5G and broadband internet. We maintain a keen focus on our commitments to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) matters, offering an annual Sustainability Report to our stakeholders. To learn more about Ribbon visit rbbn.com.

Important Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements 
The information in this release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties.  All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this release, including without limitation statements regarding the Company’s future growth and the redemption of the Series A Preferred Stock, are forward-looking statements. Without limiting the foregoing, the words “believes”, “estimates”, “expects”, “expectations”, “intends”, “may”, “plans”, “projects” and other similar language, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. 

Forward-looking statements are based on the Company’s current expectations and assumptions regarding its business, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict.  Actual results may differ materially from those contemplated in these forward-looking statements due to various risks, uncertainties and other important factors, including, among others, the effects of geopolitical instabilities and wars, including in Israel and Ukraine (and the impact of sanctions and trade restrictions imposed as a result thereof); operational disruptions at facilities located in Israel including as a result of military call-ups of the Company’s employees in Israel, closure of the offices there or the temporary or long-term closure of contract manufacturing in the region; the potential impact of litigation; risks related to supply chain disruptions, including as a result of component availability; the impact of new terms and/or covenants in the 2024 Credit Facility; risks resulting from higher interests rates and continued inflationary pressures;  the impact of restructuring and cost-containment activities; unpredictable fluctuations in quarterly revenue and operating results; risks related to cybersecurity and data intrusion; failure to compete successfully against telecommunications equipment and networking companies; failure to grow the Company’s customer base or generate recurring business from existing customers; credit risks; the timing of customer purchasing decisions and the Company’s recognition of revenues; macroeconomic conditions, including inflation; market acceptance of the Company’s products and services; rapid technological and market change; the ability to protect Company intellectual property rights and obtain necessary licenses; the ability to maintain partner, reseller, distribution and vendor support and supply relationships; the potential for defects in the Company’s products; increases in tariffs, trade restrictions or taxes on the Company’s products; and currency fluctuations.

These factors are not intended to be an all-encompassing list of risks and uncertainties that may affect the Company’s business and results from operations. Additional information regarding these and other factors can be found in the Company’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. In providing forward-looking statements, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update these statements publicly or otherwise, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Investor Relations
+1 (978) 614-8050
ir@rbbn.com  

Media Contact
Catherine Berthier
+1 (646) 741-1974
cberthier@rbbn.com  

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SOURCE Ribbon Communications Inc.

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HYPERGROWTH CX SOFTWARE PROVIDER ANNOUNCES NEW HIRES TO FUEL UK GROWTH AND US EXPANSION

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47 mins ago

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September 24, 2024

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CloudInteract announces new senior hires to support UK growth and US expansion, as it sets sights on supporting an industry predicted to grow to over USD 22 billion by 2030

LONDON, Sept. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — CloudInteract, a rapidly growing, UK-based provider of customer experience (CX) platforms, announces new senior hires to support its UK growth plans and expansion into the US market.

Founded by customer workplace communications experts, Nick Seagrave and Simon Leyland, CloudInteract launched in 2023, providing customers, including education provider, Pearson, life sciences enterprises, and online consumer services providers, such as Swoop with innovative CX software, as well as supporting industry partners, including Amazon Web Services.

Through the delivery of AI-driven platforms and omnichannel systems, CloudInteract empowers companies to scale and continuously adapt to their evolving customer service needs.

Simon Leyland, CEO and co-founder of CloudInteract, explains, “CloudInteract was born out of Nick’s and my mission to reimagine customer experience, by making contact centre interactions better for both customers and users alike. We understand that in a world full of technology providers, the difference lies in how technology transforms real-world experiences.”

To support its UK growth plans and expansion of its US presence, CloudInteract has onboarded new talent to its 50% female senior leadership team. The company recently welcomed Marketing Director, Louise Mahrra, Head of Business, North America, Nancy Van Delist and UK Head of Business Development, Julian Degg.

They will work alongside Change Director, Eliza Taylor and co-founders, Chief Technology Officer, Nick Seagrave and CEO Simon Leyland.

“As CloudInteract expands its operations and brings in new talent to support strategic growth in an industry predicted to mature to over USD 22 billion by 2030, we are firmly fixated on helping businesses unlock the full potential of their customer experience platforms by turning every interaction into a competitive advantage.”

“By doubling down on our investment in people, partnerships, and platforms, we’re positioning CloudInteract as the go-to partner for businesses that want to unlock the power of AI, data, and communication to transform their customer interactions,” concluded Simon.

About CloudInteract: https://www.cloudinteract.io/ 

CloudInteract builds customer experience platforms to unlock the potential of data to improve customer interactions. Our solutions leverage AI, automation, and integration to create smarter, seamless customer experiences that are built to last.

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2512678/CloudInteract_Logo.jpg

 

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Tata Elxsi Delivers World’s First RDK-B Integration on Qualcomm 5G Fixed Wireless Access Platform

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47 mins ago

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September 24, 2024

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SAN DIEGO and BENGALURU, India, Sept. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Tata Elxsi, a global leader in design and technology services, today announced the successful integration of the RDK-B software stack with the Qualcomm® 5G FWA Gen 3 Platform. This first-of-its-kind integration opens a new pathway for operators to deliver fast, reliable, and scalable high-speed FWA solutions. Integration of the RDK-B middleware includes key features, such as Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, packet statistics, and advanced security options, ensuring the platform is versatile and can be deployed in both indoor and outdoor environments. Operators can now deliver value-added services, like Quality of Service (QoS), band steering, parental control, and VPN, enhancing the overall broadband experience. 

Gautam Sheoran – VP and GM, Wireless Broadband and Communications at Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., stated: 

“We are proud to collaborate closely with Tata Elxsi, who has leveraged their considerable expertise to port the RDK-B stack to our 5G FWA Gen 3 Platform, featuring the Snapdragon® X75 Modem-RF System. This critical step empowers operators to accelerate time-to-market, deliver high performance FWA solutions, and reduce development efforts, as they deploy powerful new FWA CPE solutions. We look forward, through continued collaboration with Tata Elxsi, to expanding our engagement with the broader RDK community, giving operators more choices and flexibility in deploying state-of-the-art solutions.”

Priya S Kumar – Head, Media and Communications at Tata Elxsi, stated:

“This integration broadens the RDK ecosystem and silicon diversity, which has traditionally centered on wired technologies like DOCSIS and Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH). By incorporating RDK-B into the cellular-managed WAN space, Tata Elxsi is excited to collaborate in positioning the Snapdragon X75 platform as a future-ready solution for high-performance broadband applications. Tata Elxsi’s continuous commitment to the RDK ecosystem enables SoCs, OEMs and operators to rapidly innovate and scale, addressing the demands of next-generation broadband technologies.”

Looking ahead, Tata Elxsi will upgrade the platform to include next-generation features such as Wi-Fi 7. This upgrade will further enhance FWA devices, offering operators more flexible, scalable, and cost-effective solutions, setting the stage for the next generation of wireless innovation. 

About Tata Elxsi

Tata Elxsi is among the world’s leading design and technology services providers across industries, including Automotive, Broadcast, Communications, Healthcare and Transportation.

We are helping customers reimagine their products and services through design thinking and applying digital technologies, such as IoT (Internet of Things), Cloud, Mobility, Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligence. For more information, visit www.tataelxsi.com

Snapdragon and Qualcomm branded products are products of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. Snapdragon is a trademark or registered trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated.

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/742257/4913784/Tata_Elxsi_Logo.jpg

 

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Huawei Calls to Expand Partnerships to Drive Global Digital Inclusion through TECH4ALL

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47 mins ago

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September 24, 2024

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SHANGHAI, Sept. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — At the TECH4ALL Digital Inclusion Forum hosted at Huawei Connect 2024, Huawei called for more partners to join its TECH4LL initiative to drive global digital inclusion.

Launched in 2019 and aligned with the UN SDGs, TECH4ALL is Huawei’s long-term action plan for enabling an inclusive and sustainable digital world, focusing on the education, environment, health, and development domains.

At the forum, attendees explored TECH4ALL inclusion projects and digital inclusion advances in China outlined in the 2024 China Digital Inclusion Report produced by China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT).

“Promoting digital inclusion can not only effectively deal with problems that may exist in the development and application of digital technology, but also improve the realization of our overall goals,” said Xin Yongfei, Director of the CAICT Institute for Policy and Economics.

Discussions focused on how technology can help bring down barriers to information accessibility, equal opportunities, and a high quality of life. A key theme at the forum concerned the importance of cross-sector partnerships in maximizing the efficacy of inclusion projects such as those Huawei’s runs under TECH4ALL.

“Huawei is a committed to supporting China’s digital inclusion strategy,” said Jeffrey Zhou, President of ICT Marketing at Huawei. “We work with governments, enterprises, scientific research institutions, universities, and NGOs to implement projects that provide a useful reference for the world to seize the opportunities of digital transformation and share the inclusive benefits of digitalization.”    

Partners from both the deaf and vision-impaired communities looked at the role of technology in enabling digital inclusion. Huawei shared how it considers the needs of people with disabilities, the elderly, and children from the beginning of product design. As well as Bluetooth connectivity for hearing aids, Huawei smartphones, provide 15 accessibility features that are used by around 10 million people each month. These include technologies that can identify and send alerts for job recommendations tailored for people with disabilities.

“As a visually impaired device user and Huawei partner, I think it’s crucial to share the message that technology can give everyone an equal opportunity to participate in society, use public resources, and help eliminate the digital divide,” said Yin Nan, Chairman of Tianjin Hongqiao District Blind Association.

With partners the China Association of the Deaf and E-Times Digital Technology, Huawei TECH4ALL has also developed the Trouble-Free Hearing app. Based on Huawei Cloud AI, the app provides speech-to-text and text-to-speech translation and a real-time online sign language hub for use in potentially complex situations such as healthcare, legal consultations, and at service windows.

The forum also explored education inclusion through the TECH4ALL China DigiSchool project, which aims to provide online resources and teacher training for the delivery of STEAM curriculum. To date, 4,800 teachers and students have benefited in 29 schools.

Huawei also runs a range of education and training initiatives across the globe, including the Open School project with UNESCO, Instant Schools Network with Vodafone Foundation, and Skills and Wheels projects with global and local partners. Skills on Wheels, for example, brings free digital skills training to remote communities via truck-mounted mobile classrooms, reaching 93,000 people in 18 countries so far.

TECH4ALL education projects have reached more than 400,000 people across the globe, with technology and partnerships the key to success of each project.

About Huawei TECH4ALL

TECH4ALL is Huawei’s long-term digital inclusion initiative. Enabled by innovative technologies and partnerships, TECH4ALL aims to promote inclusion and sustainability in the digital world.

For more information, visit the Huawei TECH4ALL website: https://www.huawei.com/en/tech4all 

Follow us on X:
https://twitter.com/HUAWEI_TECH4ALL 

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SOURCE Huawei

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