|
|
|
Contributors | Messages | Polls | Resources |
    |
 |
 |
||
|
|
||
Vodafone Strikes 18.4B Deal to Buy Liberty Assets Iain Morris, News Editor, 5/9/2018
Already a significant cable broadband access network owner in Europe, Vodafone has struck an 18.4 billion (US$21.8 billion) deal to acquire Liberty Global's cable operations in Germany, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Romania in a move to create one of Europe's biggest integrated fixed/mobile service providers. The deal, announced early Wednesday, comes after weeks of speculation and would produce a huge rival to German incumbent Deutsche Telekom, as well as bolstering Vodafone's fixed-line capabilities in several eastern European markets. (See Will Liberty & Vodafone Strike a Deal? What Will It Mean for Headcount?) The agreement with Liberty Global Inc. (Nasdaq: LBTY), one of Europe's biggest operators of cable networks, is the latest cable broadband M&A move by Vodafone, which has acquired cable assets in Spain (ONO) and Germany (Kabel Deutschland) during the past five years. It will leave Vodafone Group plc (NYSE: VOD) with around 54 million cable or fiber customers and a next-generation network reach of about 110 million homes and businesses, the operator noted in a presentation to investors and analysts early Wednesday. The transaction would make Vodafone the chief rival in Germany to incumbent national operator Deutsche Telekom AG (NYSE: DT), which currently markets broadband services to around 30 million homes. Unitymedia, Liberty's German subsidiary, would be added to the Kabel Deutschland business that Vodafone acquired in a 7.7 billion ($9.1 billion) deal in 2013, allowing Vodafone to market next-generation broadband services to nearly 24 million homes across the key European market.
Vodafone's CEO Vittorio Colao sees value in building an even greater cable broadband empire across Europe.
Under previously announced plans to extend "gigabit" network offerings to around 1 million German homes, Vodafone is pushing for a gigabit coverage target of 25 million homes by 2022. "This represents more than two thirds of the German government's 2020 fiber vision for gigabit connectivity across the country," said Vittorio Colao, Vodafone's CEO, during the presentation. For the full story and financial details, see the following story on our sister site, Light Reading: Vodafone Pounces on Liberty Cable Assets in 18.4B Deal. Iain Morris, International Editor, Light Reading |
UK operator aims to cover more than 5.5 million premises with Gfast by the end of 2020, down from an original commitment of 10 million.
Happy with 5G fixed wireless broadband trials in Transylvania, Orange is now trying to figure out if there is a business case for an investment.
UK operator says an improved relationship with regulatory authorities bodes well for its ambition of extending all-fiber networks across the country.
A private equity takeover of the UK fiber operator could help it to realize its FTTH plans and maintain pressure on UK broadband incumbents.
Partner Perspectives - from our sponsors
Industry Announcements
 WebinarsWednesday, August 29, 2018
12:00pm New York / 5:00pm London Think about it: The access network touches every single one of your subscribers. Devices in the subscriber network are getting smarter because processing power has increased, and costs have come down. But how does the proliferation of intelligent devices at the edge affect your network? Your first thought is likely increased demand for bandwidth. True, but have you thought about how the increase in devices creates a need for a more secure network? Learn how you can simplify your network, reduce network elements and create a more secure network in the process.  Radio Shows ARCHIVED | June 19, 2018, 11am EDT
In this insightful Light Reading radio show, Kurt Raaflaub, Head of Strategic Solutions Marketing, will outline the key service provider challenges, deployment considerations, next-gen Gigabit technologies, and service models to win market share in the rapidly growing MDU market.
 Video
ZTE discusses the future of broadband networks and how we can be better prepared for the challenges they will bring.
What are the hot talking points in the fixed broadband sector right now? Gigabit over copper as well as fiber, software-defined access and more, ...
Light Reading's pro-European, Berlin-lovin' editors Ray Le Maistre and Iain Morris discuss some of the hot topics from BBWF 2017, including Gfast ...
The UBB2020 community has had a great first four months thanks to a market that's on the up!
Per-Olof Gustafsson, Deputy CEO at AB Stokab, the wholesale fiber access network operator in the city of Stockholm, talks about the business case ...
Sponsored Video
This new video will inspire companies to reimagine their business for success in a world where connectivity is more than a commodity.
Sponsored Video
|
|
|
||
Tweet This