SBA Communications explores potential sale, Bloomberg News reports

April 2 (Reuters) - SBA Communications SBAC.O is exploring options, including a potential sale, after the cell tower operator received preliminary takeover interest, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter.

Shares of SBA, which owns and operates wireless communications infrastructure, rose 14% in afternoon trading. The company had a market value of $18.15 billion as of last close.

Large infrastructure funds have been circling the company and SBA is working with advisers to evaluate interest, the report said.

SBA owned or operated 46,328 communication sites as of December 31. Its customers include wireless carriers such as AT&T T.N, T-Mobile TMUS.O and Verizon VZ.N.

Deliberations are at an early stage and there is no certainty about a deal, Bloomberg News added.

SBA did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

The company reported fourth-quarter revenue of $719.6 million, missing analysts' average estimate of $726.2 million, according to data compiled by LSEG.

The cell tower firm's performance was hampered by customer churn and cautious carrier spending weighed on its site-leasing business.

It expects full-year revenue to be between $2.82 billion and $2.86 billion. At the mid-point of its range, the forecast was below estimates of $2.86 billion.