Infra Investors, Finance & M&A – Page 17
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Financial & Performance
DT’s FY21 report: events intervene but an empowered Höttges talks tough on towers
Another strong year of growth for Group, led by USA. Unfortunate clash with Ukraine invasion dulls shareholder reaction. Executives stress openness and flexibility when it comes to a big TowerCo deal, but want full recognition of DT assets’ worth. Muddiness on future of BT holding. Inflationary pressures said to ...
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M&A
INWIT eyeing European towers for potential M&A
Vodafone and Telecom Italia TowerCo joint venture lays out framework for “financial flexibility”, enabling M&A when opportunities arise. CEO Giovanni Ferigo claims organic growth remains the focus, but admits interest in smaller European players. Capital allocated to enable inorganic options.
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M&A
Vodafone explores sale of Indus Towers stake
Group plans to use some of the proceeds to take part in Vi fundraising exercise. Bharti Airtel could buy another 4.7% stake in Indus Towers. Indus security arrangements have been modified, but TowerCo still protected from Vi weakness. In Europe, Vodafone could lose Telecom Italia as partner in ...
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Venturing & Investments
Telefónica partner Asterion fills infra fund number two
Investment manager with close links to Telefónica completes set up of a new €1.8bn pot. Five European markets in sights for energy and telecoms opportunities. Madrid-based business has various ex-Telefónica staffers on team and a history of deal-making with Group.
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Suppliers & SCM
Assurant tools up for T-Mobile in store repair deal
Assurant recruits 2,000 technicians and managers to lead same-day repairs service at T-Mobile stores. Contract comes with substantial investment requirements, but upsides anticipated in the coming year. Sprint migration also completed.
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Network & Infrastructure
Macquarie linked with £10bn UK infrastructure boost
Australian group points to planned investments in UK broadband. Macquarie has snapped up local providers including KCOM, Voneus, and Wavenet.
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Operations
INWIT targets faster growth with management reshuffle
New Technology and Operations department created, headed temporarily by CEO Giovani Ferigo. Ferigo will relinquish the role once a CTO is appointed, expected “shortly”. Senior tech executives Massimo Giuseppe Scapini and Elisa Patrizi pushed out.
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Premium
BT wary of Cellnex compromise on CKH tower merger
Spanish InfraCo willing to sell enough sites from existing estate to enable new UK tower player to emerge, overcoming CMA concerns on competition linked to planned CKH infrastructure acquisition. Four companies already stepped forward as potential buyers. BT remains concerned about impact on MBNL and 5G investment plans.
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Financial & Performance
Vantage tweaks schedule after ‘annoying’ builder delays
TowerCo’s build-to-suit programme hit by labour and material supply crunch. Management responds with move to simplify supply and logistics. Execs assure headline operational and financial goals remain in reach.
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Network & Infrastructure
Vantage eyes €1bn EU fund for 5G roads and railways
TowerCo gets its motor running to head out on the 5G highway. Pursues EU-funded 5G Corridor projects. European Commission targets 5G coverage on all transport routes by 2025 and allocates €1bn for cross-border network projects.
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Public Affairs
Cellnex offers CMA deal to secure Hutchison UK tower merger
Spanish InfraCo willing to sell enough sites from its existing estate to enable a new UK tower player to emerge, and overcome CMA concerns on competition linked to its planned CKH infrastructure acquisition. Four companies have already stepped forward as potential buyers. CTIL objects to being positioned as a ...
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Network & Infrastructure
Telefónica’s PangeaCo begins operations in Peru
Telefónica appears to have failed to find an investor for the Peruvian FibreCo. Political situation may have complicated efforts to find a partner.
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M&A
American Tower “excited” by tower M&A in Europe
CFO flags possibility of “compelling things” happening in Europe’s tower scene. Cautions, however, that American Tower in no rush for dealmaking. Deutsche Telekom, Cellnex, Orange, and Vodafone also in the mix for tower M&A.
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Premium
Elsewhere in Vodafone Associates & JVs: KKR bids for TIM
KKR submits cheeky bid for TIM; TPG requests joint functional separation undertaking.
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M&A
DT ‘exploring fibre JVs in Austria, Poland’
Germany’s fledgling GlasfaserPlus tie-up said to be providing model for other JVs. Report indicates progress is at a more advanced stage in Austria.
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Premium
H1 FY21–22: Openreach enters fibre build phase two
Lonely position as sole BT unit posting positive results for the half year. CEO Clive Selley confident of future return on investment: FTTP rollout moving ahead of expectations; uptake supported by Equinox pricing deal and growing consumer demand.
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M&A
Spain shields Telefónica as KKR’s TI bid makes waves
Spanish government reinforcing restrictions that would halt hostile bids for Telefónica until 2023. Europe’s telco sector awash with bid speculation as KKR pursues TI, and Indian conglomerate Reliance Industries is linked to a BT bid.
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Premium
Vodafone New Zealand said to initiate tower spinout
Former Vodafone OpCo’s parents reported to have hired advisors to guide them through separation and monetisation. Move comes with regional tower market heating up. Both Spark and Vodafone NZ moot interest in infra-sharing.
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M&A
KKR launches Telecom Italia buyout attempt
Offer believed to be worth at least €32bn. Operator shares soar 30% as the news emerges.
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Financial & Performance
Vodafone: DT and Orange are ‘credible’ tower merger partners
Read confirms either of Vodafone’s big European rivals could end up being an ally as noise continues to increase around an “industrial merger” for Group’s Vantage Towers business.