Adelphia is one step closer to shedding security division

December 2, 2004 NEW YORK - Adelphia Communications has filed papers with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court here to approve a sale of its security arm to Innova Security Solutions for $38.2 million. Innova, a unit of Boston-based private equity firm Alta Communications, is the highest bidder in Adelphia’s search for a buyer, beating out 14 other parties in the sale. Adelphia, which has been under Chapter 11 protection since 2002, began searching for interested buyers for its security business - operated as Checkpoint Ltd. in Florida and Adelphia Security in New York - in April 2004 as part of the company’s effort to emerge from bankruptcy. “One of the things we are doing is shedding non-core business,” said Paul Jacobson, a spokesman for Adelphia. “Although it has been a good business, security is not part of the strategic plan for Adelphia, which is essentially a cable company.” Even though Innova has been identified as the highest bidder, the process is by no means complete. Under bankruptcy law, Adelphia is required to place its security business, which accounts for 60,000 subscribers, up for auction through the court to ensure the highest price. “Our job as Adelphia management is to maximize the amount of money to pay off creditors,” Jacobson said. A hearing to approve auction rules is slated for Dec. 15, while any objections must be entered by Dec. 10. Interested parties have until Jan. 17, 2005 to place bids on the business, but minimum bids must start at $40.1 million to beat out Innova. Officials at Alta Communications declined to comment on the transaction, but did say that Innova began operations in 2004. According to information on Alta Communications’ web site, it has not previously invested in the security industry and to this point has focused on the media and telecommunications sectors. For more on this story, see the January issue of Security Systems News.