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It’s not too often someone takes the plunge across the border in internet infrastructure within mainland China, but the data center space is one place it does happen now and then. According to Bloomberg, the two private equity firms Macquarie and Warburg Pincus are apparently close to making such an effort to invest in Bohao Internet Data Services. … [visit site to read more]

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There are still a few caveats, but it looks as though giant operator Vodafone is getting closer to selling its stake in India’s largest mobile tower installation company after Indian news reports suggested a Canadian pension fund is considering making an offer.

The pension fund, Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec (CDPQ), is said to be in talks with Vodafone to buy its residual 21% stake in Indus Towers.

The reports emphasise that the talks are still at an early stage, though they suggest that Vodafone’s stake in Indus is valued at around 11,270 crore (more than $US1.4 billion). 

This would be quite a commitment for CDPQ as it would constitute its biggest deal to date in India, though, as India’s Economic Times points out, CDPQ has already taken big bets on toll roads and power utilities, among other sectors, in the country.

Of course Vodafone has also had talks with other potential buyers, including long-term infrastructure investors and other sovereign wealth and pension funds, but with no results so far. If Vodafone does sell its remaining stake in Indus, it would end the company’s involvement in the passive telecom infrastructure business in India.

It’s also worth mentioning that, as the largest shareholder in Indus, with about 48%, operator Bharti Airtel has the right of first refusal if Vodafone does decide to sell its stake to an external investor. Not only that, but, according to a source quoted by the Economic Times, the sale may also rely on Vodafone Idea, in which Vodafone holds a stake estimated at just over 28%, clearing its payment arrears to the tower company.

This Industry Viewpoint was authored by Maria Lema, Co-Founder, Weaver Labs

With the UK quickly becoming one of the most optimal places to invest in telecoms innovation, the existing deployment model has not been effective in coordinating communication and integration within the telecoms supply chain. This lack of consensus in the industry led the government to develop … [visit site to read more]

Helios Towers attributed its strong H1 results to more tower tenants and recent acquisitions in Senegal, Madagascar and Malawi, while also expressing confidence in closing deals in Oman and Gabon in H2.

Speaking to Developing Telecoms, CEO Tom Greenwood said: “Our strategy right now is to consolidate all of the new markets that we’ve entered. That includes Oman and Gabon but it also includes Malawi, Madagascar, and Senegal, which we’ve entered very recently as well.

“Ongoing integration behind the scenes have been going very well so we’re really keen on focusing on organic growth this year. This means we’re building more sites, and gaining more tenants in our existing market, we’re focused on driving the best out of the assets that we have,” said Greenwood.

The company currently has towers in Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo Brazzaville, Ghana, South Africa, Senegal, Madagascar and Malawi.

Helios is currently going through challenging regulatory hurdles to acquiring Airtel Africa towers in Gabon, a deal that hinges on gaining a passive infrastructure licence. The company anticipates capex of US$650m in 2022 for deals in Malawi, Senegal and Madagascar, the latter two through “deferred acquisition payments”.

On potentially expanding from its current base of market, Greenwood said there are opportunities in North and West Africa, that the company is currently mulling.  

“There’s a number of markets around North Africa, which is looking more interesting and potential opportunities may be popping up, there’s a few around West Africa that is similar. There are a few in East Africa as well, but we’re not focusing hugely on them right now,” said Greenwood.

The company has around 14,000 towers in its portfolio with the aim to reach 22,000 by 2026 which will be done through acquisitions and new tower constructions.

H1 results

The company reported growth in its latest financial results which were due to the integration of acquisitions in Senegal, Madagascar and Malawi, as well as gains in new tenants.

Revenue for H1 grew 25% year-on-year from US$212.4 million to US$265.4 million, while adjusted EBITDA increased from US$114.2 million to US$136.1 million in the same period.

Tower tenancies grew 20% from 17,090 to 20,549, while operating profit surged 48% from US$26.9 million to US$39.8 million.

The targeted capex for this year is between US$810 million to US$850 million.

Helios Towers attributed its strong H1 results to more tower tenants and recent acquisitions in Senegal, Madagascar and Malawi, while also expressing confidence in closing deals in Oman and Gabon in H2.

Speaking to Developing Telecoms, CEO Tom Greenwood said: “Our strategy right now is to consolidate all of the new markets that we’ve entered. That includes Oman and Gabon but it also includes Malawi, Madagascar, and Senegal, which we’ve entered very recently as well.

“Ongoing integration behind the scenes have been going very well so we’re really keen on focusing on organic growth this year. This means we’re building more sites, and gaining more tenants in our existing market, we’re focused on driving the best out of the assets that we have,” said Greenwood.

The company currently has towers in Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo Brazzaville, Ghana, South Africa, Senegal, Madagascar and Malawi.

Helios is currently going through challenging regulatory hurdles to acquiring Airtel Africa towers in Gabon, a deal that hinges on gaining a passive infrastructure licence. The company anticipates capex of US$650m in 2022 for deals in Malawi, Senegal and Madagascar, the latter two through “deferred acquisition payments”.

On potentially expanding from its current base of market, Greenwood said there are opportunities in North and West Africa, that the company is currently mulling.  

“There’s a number of markets around North Africa, which is looking more interesting and potential opportunities may be popping up, there’s a few around West Africa that is similar. There are a few in East Africa as well, but we’re not focusing hugely on them right now,” said Greenwood.

The company has around 14,000 towers in its portfolio with the aim to reach 22,000 by 2026 which will be done through acquisitions and new tower constructions.

H1 results

The company reported growth in its latest financial results which were due to the integration of acquisitions in Senegal, Madagascar and Malawi, as well as gains in new tenants.

Revenue for H1 grew 25% year-on-year from US$212.4 million to US$265.4 million, while adjusted EBITDA increased from US$114.2 million to US$136.1 million in the same period.

Tower tenancies grew 20% from 17,090 to 20,549, while operating profit surged 48% from US$26.9 million to US$39.8 million.

The targeted capex for this year is between US$810 million to US$850 million.

Keep up-to-date with all the latest news, articles, event and product updates posted on Developing Telecoms.
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