Telecommunication industry acquisitions have skyrocketed since the advent of voice-over Internet protocol (VOIP) and consumer service bundling. While the telecom business moves quickly, companies can also falter and fail without a warning whimper if they move too quickly into mergers and acquisitions (M&A) telecom investment and financing requires knowledge. If you don't have it, hire it.

Carefully research mergers and acquisitions in the telecommunications industry based on the plans you have for your company and your own financial liquidity. Don't be afraid to hire a consultant or advisor to see you through the process with due diligence.

1. Hire mergers and acquisitions, telecom experts to help you make smart financial decisions and avoid the pitfalls of emotional business dealings.

2. Sell your telecommunications company, or part of your holdings, to free up capital and time.

3. Develop a mergers and acquisition strategy, telecom purchasing knowledge before you buy.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find an advisor specializing in mergers and acquisition in telecom-related fields

There are many companies that specialize in mergers and acquisitions in the telecom industry. By limiting their transactions to a specific industry, these financial advisors have created a niche for themselves in which they are indispensable. Take advantage of their experience, and remember that the development of business transactions is not comparable to running a business. You may have experience in the latter; do not attempt the former without professional help.

I recommend: Hire companies that deal only in mergers and acquisitions in telecoms, and find them through the M&A Source or Alliance of Merger and Acquisition Advisors membership directories.

Sell your business using mergers and acquisitions, telecom business tools

When you're on the selling end of mergers and acquisitions in telecommunications, it's important that you know which options you have at your disposal. If your adjusted future earnings exceed $250,000, your company is a 'mid-market' company, and you should consider enlisting the help of a certified mergers and acquisitions firm. If you fall somewhere below that line, find a business broker familiar with telecom deals.

I recommend: Explore mergers and acquisitions in the telecom industry worldwide by listing with M&A Forum. Or, keep up with the latest telecommunications M&A news with Mactel Telecom Advisory, which also offers merger and acquisition help for buyers and sellers within the fluid telecommunications industry.

Do your homework before launching mergers and acquisitions, telecommunications company purchases

Nailing down a mergers and acquisitions valuation for telecom firms can present a problem in today's fluctuating market. Do plenty of research on current market values, and enlist professional help completing a thorough acquisition valuation on any telecom business you're interested in buying.

I recommend: Partner with BIA Financial Network's mergers and acquisitions, telecommunication professionals for the latest industry merger valuations. Get a feel for current business listings and asking prices by browsing telecom businesses for sale through Merger Network.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Most telecommunication merger and acquisition consulting companies list recent transactions and references on their websites. Check the references by first making sure the resulting company still exists and is financially viable within its industry, and you'll see firsthand whether the advisor you're considering offers sound advice.