Deutsche Telekom has agreed to acquire 100% of Fiberhost and Inea for an enterprise valuation of approximately €1 billion, significantly expanding T-Mobile Polska’s fixed broadband infrastructure and accelerating its transformation into a fully converged telecommunications provider.
Macquarie European Infrastructure Fund 5, managed by Macquarie Asset Management, and minority shareholders are selling the businesses.
Fiberhost operates an open-access fixed network in Poland, while Inea provides retail broadband and television services.
The transaction will add more than 300,000 Inea customers to T-Mobile Polska while giving the company ownership of Fiberhost’s fiber network, which passes more than 1.4 million homes.
The acquisition marks a major shift in T-Mobile Polska’s infrastructure strategy. And the company historically operated primarily as a mobile provider and began expanding fixed broadband coverage through wholesale relationships after signing its first wholesale access agreement in 2018.
Combining Fiberhost and Inea with T-Mobile Polska’s existing mobile network, backbone, data centers and fixed broadband business will give the company its own large-scale fiber-to-the-home network.
T-Mobile Polska believes ownership of that infrastructure will strengthen its ability to offer bundled mobile and fixed services and compete with Polish telecommunications operators that already control substantial fixed networks.
The transaction also expands Deutsche Telekom’s investment in critical digital infrastructure in Poland.
Fiberhost will continue operating as an open-access network and will provide transparent and non-discriminatory access to existing and prospective internet service providers.
Macquarie has supported Fiberhost and Inea for approximately eight years, during which the businesses expanded network coverage and wholesale access across Poland.
Closing remains subject to customary Polish competition approvals.
KEY QUOTES:
“This is an important milestone in T-Mobile Polska’s continuous growth story. By bringing together strong mobile and fiber capabilities, we are creating an even better foundation for simple, reliable services for our customers.”
“At the same time, it will allow T-Mobile Polska to extend its contribution to the digitalization of Poland and its economy. Investments like this matter beyond one market. Strong digital infrastructure is essential for Europe’s competitiveness, resilience and future growth.”
Dominique Leroy, CEO Europe of Deutsche Telekom AG
“We are opening a new chapter in T-Mobile Polska’s journey. Our award-winning mobile network, nationwide backbone, data centers and fiber infrastructure will now be complemented by our own fiber-to-the-home network reaching 1.4 million households.”
“Owning an FTTH network will allow us to further develop our already successful portfolio of convergent products.”
Andreas Maierhofer, CEO of T-Mobile Polska
“Over the past eight years we have partnered with management to support the development of Fiberhost and INEA, helping to create one of Poland’s leading fibre infrastructure platforms.”
“Together, we expanded network coverage, increased wholesale access, and improved connectivity for communities and businesses across the country.”
Cord Von Lewinski, Managing Director at Macquarie Asset Management
