Cellnex Telecom has finalized the sale of its Austrian operations to a consortium led by Vauban Infrastructure Partners, EDF Invest, and MEAG for €803 million. This marks a significant development for the company, which acquired the Austrian unit in early 2021 as part of a larger acquisition of infrastructure assets from CK Hutchison across six European countries.
The Austrian business encompassed approximately 4,600 sites. Cellnex announced its intention to explore the sale of this unit in November 2023. Marco Patuano, CEO of Cellnex, explained the strategic rationale behind the sale, stating: “The closing of the sale of our Austrian business will allow us to further consolidate, simplify, and focus our efforts on growth opportunities in the main markets in which we operate, as well as on the balance sheet and the acceleration of shareholder remuneration, thus fulfilling our commitments to the market.”
Cellnex is Europe’s largest operator of telecommunications towers and infrastructure, providing operators with access to a vast network. This shared-use model aids in reducing barriers to entry for new operators and improves service in remote areas. The company manages over 130,000 sites across 10 European countries, with a substantial presence in Spain, France, the UK, Italy, and Poland.