Wedoany.com Report-Oct. 18, Vauban Infra Fibre has agreed to acquire Cellnex’s 99.99% stake in Towerlink France, the entity managing Cellnex’s edge and regional data centre assets in France. The transaction will be paid entirely in cash upon completion and marks part of Cellnex’s strategy to focus on its core mobile infrastructure business.

Cellnex, Europe’s largest independent tower operator, has been reshaping its portfolio since 2023 to reduce debt and concentrate on tower and fibre network operations. The sale of Towerlink France follows previous divestments from non-core markets, including Ireland and Austria, where assets were sold for €971 million and €803 million, respectively.

The French operations are strategically important for Cellnex, forming part of its broader footprint in the country, which includes a significant tower and fibre network. France contributed approximately 21% of Cellnex’s total revenue in the first half of 2024, reflecting the market’s value within the company’s European operations.

For Vauban Infra Fibre, a European infrastructure investor focused on digital assets, the acquisition enhances its position in France’s growing edge data centre market. With increasing demand for data and low-latency services across Europe, the new owner is expected to expand Towerlink France’s capabilities to support AI-driven workloads and cloud applications.

Financial details of Towerlink France’s performance were not disclosed, but the deal illustrates continued investor interest in digital infrastructure assets, particularly those supporting 5G and advanced computing needs.

The transaction remains subject to customary regulatory approvals and is expected to be finalized in the coming months. Upon completion, Vauban Infra Fibre will manage the French edge and regional data centre assets, potentially enabling enhanced service offerings and reinforcing the company’s footprint in European digital infrastructure.

This acquisition aligns with broader trends in the telecom and digital infrastructure sectors, where investors increasingly seek assets that support high-speed connectivity, cloud computing, and AI applications. By acquiring Towerlink France, Vauban Infra Fibre positions itself to benefit from the rising demand for edge computing, fibre connectivity, and low-latency network solutions across the region.

Cellnex’s strategic divestment allows it to streamline operations, reduce debt, and focus resources on expanding and strengthening its core tower and fibre networks across Europe. Meanwhile, Vauban Infra Fibre’s investment underscores the attractiveness of digital infrastructure as a long-term growth segment within the telecommunications and technology ecosystem.

The deal highlights the continued reshaping of Europe’s telecom infrastructure landscape, balancing operational focus for incumbents like Cellnex with expansion opportunities for specialized investors such as Vauban Infra Fibre.