Q and A with Marc Ganzi

October 19, 2013

When Marc Ganzi introduced himself as “unemployed” on a panel at the PCIA Wireless Infrastructure Show, it elicited some laughter. But, as Global Tower Partners sells its U.S. tower portfolio to American Tower, Ganzi may find himself busier than ever as he takes the helm two companies, instead of one.

Ganzi’s commitment to the wireless infrastructure industry only seems only to be growing. He took time this week to answer some of our questions.

AGL Bulletin:

Describe what Global Tower Partners operations will look like after the tower sale to American Tower.

Ganzi:

GTP will no longer exist, as our entire operation was assumed and integrated into American, for the exception of the operations based in Mexico.

AGL Bulletin:

What will be your involvement with the Mexican towers? How many are there?

Ganzi:

I will assume the role of executive chairman at Mexico Tower Partners. Mexico Tower Partners owns and operates a little under 600 towers throughout Mexico.

AGL Bulletin: Do you have a non-compete clause (and for how long) with American Towers?

Ganzi:

Terms of the deal between American Tower and GTP remain confidential. But one point that we can make clear is that GTP was acquired by American Tower, therefore GTP no longer exists as the industry knew it – today GTP is American Tower and that is one company unified to serve the industry and our customers!

AGL Bulletin: Outside of towers, where do you see the growth opportunities in the U.S.?

Ganzi:

I believe the entire eco-system of the U.S. wireless industry is filled with opportunity. With 4G networks going to VOLTE – IP-based networks are the future and with that comes an insatiable demand for data. So this creates opportunity in data centers, backhaul, fiber, Wi-Fi, DAS and services that relate to the deployments and management of wireless networks. Growth in wireless has never been better here in the US.

AGL Bulletin: What is your involvement with Digital Bridge Management?

Ganzi:

I co-founded Digital Bridge with the intent of investing in wireless infrastructure with a global mandate. As such, my role as the co-founder and CEO is to launch the business, the brand and fund raise. Not too dissimilar from what I did at GTP. Right now Digital Bridge is a pure start-up, so things are a bit fluid and, of course, fun. As an entrepreneur, the incubation phase of any business is the most exciting – I am having a great time getting this next part of my career off the ground.