TowerCos – Page 16
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Network & Infrastructure
Deutsche Telekom wraps up Austrian tower spinout
Another building-block added to multi-layered platform Group is bringing together in European tower space.
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Network & Infrastructure
Indus Towers talks up ‘next-gen’ tech revamp
Former Finance Director of Vodafone Intelligent Solutions takes on CFO role at newly combined entity. Expanse moves come with Vodafone said to be contemplating selling part of its Indus stake to help out troubled Vi.
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Network & Infrastructure
Telefónica fires starting gun on Drillisch 5G
Spanish giant’s German operations finally agrees national roaming deal with country’s would-be fourth MNO. Paves way for 5G rollout by Drillisch. TowerCos circle market entrant for new business.
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Partnerships & Alliances
DT teams with Cellnex for European tower expansion
Two groups firm up relationship following a long courtship. Dutch unit T-Mobile Infra to be DT’s anchor investment in new Digital Infrastructure Vehicle. Move releases DT to join European TowerCo gold rush, but while keeping options open on future ownership of its own infrastructure assets.
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M&A
Telefónica sells infra biz to American Tower
Telxius finds a home at US infrastructure giant. Transaction expected to wipe €4.6bn off Telefónica net debt.
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Network & Infrastructure
Vodafone bulks up Vantage Towers with Cornerstone
Vodafone UK and Telefónica UK give each other freedom to “commercialise” their 50% stakes in Cornerstone JV. Transfer of Vodafone’s shareholding to Vantage Towers to take place within weeks. Important (and long-awaited) addition to Vodafone’s European TowerCo ahead of upcoming IPO.
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Network & Infrastructure
INWIT ties up loose ownership end
Telecom Italia sells remaining direct stake in TowerCo, co-controlled with Vodafone, to Canson Capital Partners.
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M&A
Cellnex open to Telxius grab
TowerCo CEO cheerfully talks up prospect of acquiring stake in Group’s infrastructure business. Idea of Telefónica-Cellnex tie mooted previously — and never totally quashed. Telefónica’s weakening debt profile may prompt inorganic action around infrastructure.
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M&A
Vi cashes in from Indus Towers–Infratel merger
Vodafone’s loss-making JV in India gets a much-needed cash boost from sale of Indus stake. Vi reportedly in talks with private equity investors to raise more funds.
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Network & Infrastructure
Orange CEO open to pan-European TowerCo idea
Stéphane Richard sees “interesting opportunity” in possible tie-up with Deutsche Telekom or Vodafone. CEO wants to do “something smarter” with tower assets than selling masts to accumulator Cellnex.
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Network & Infrastructure
Vodafone Hungary spins out its tower operation
New Hungary TowerCo mirrors recent moves across European businesses. Another foundation stone laid for Vodafone’s Vantage Towers float. Gergő Budai takes CEO spot.
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Network & Infrastructure
Lowth downplays tower monetisation benefits
BT is continuing to buck the trend of creating TowerCos as it continues to value control over infrastructure assets.
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M&A
MBNL’s future up in air as Three ponders mast sale
Both MBNL and Cornerstone, UK MNOs’ two tower joint ventures, appear on the verge of an ownership revamp. Three exit could tie with moves by CK Hutchison to establish a separate TowerCo.
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Network & Infrastructure
T-Mobile US ups 5G pace with tower deal
Deal agreed after exchange of words over pace of 5G network buildout. Agreement worth $17bn over 15 years.
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Strategy & Change
Heathrow operator Ferrovial has 5G on radar
Emerging tower and private network ambitions look to set up the Spanish group as a rival and/or partner of operators and their infrastructure arms.
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Partnerships & Alliances
OTE hums and haws over Greek rivals’ new tower JV
Group prevaricates about throwing its lot in with Vantage Towers Greece, the new JV between Vodafone Greece and Wind Hellas.
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Strategy & Change
Italy’s INWIT: we’re Mercedes of tower race
CEO sees refresh of INWIT’s internal operations, instigated following meld of Vodafone Italy towers, as basis for industry leadership and stepping stone to expansion into new markets.
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Network & Infrastructure
Cellnex swerves Telxius questions as it builds war chest
Robustly growing tower company with €11bn burning a hole in its pocket. Linked to an investment in Telefónica’s “magnificent” infrastructure division. Cellnex management say keen on operational control over investments.
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Network & Infrastructure
Vodafone pushes ahead with tower IPO
Vodafone has invited pitches for an IPO of its European towers, to be listed by 2021. €10bn–€20bn valuation, with €2bn+ targeted for minority stake.
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M&A
Telefónica Deutschland confirms tower switch
German operating business to transfer 10,100 sites to Telxius for €1.5bn. Transaction to reduce Telefónica’s net debt by €500m between 2020 and 2021, but won’t slow down its accelerated capex drive. Telxius portfolio has doubled since 2016.