UOKiK clears the acquisition of Polkomtel Infrastruktura by Cellnex

Cellnex learned today of the favourable decision by the Polish Competition Authority (UOKiK) regarding the project to acquire Polkomtel Infrastruktura, owned by Cyfrowy Polsat.

The project was announced in February of this year and will involve an investment of 1.6 billion Euro, plus an additional programme to roll out up to c. 1,500 sites, as well as investments in active equipment, mostly for 5G, for a further c. €600 million over the next 10 years. The transaction will be financed with available cash.

“The green light from the UOKiK is a crucial and decisive boost for the final closure of the acquisition of Polkomntel Infrastruktura during summer” said Cellnex Deputy CEO, ÀlexMestre.

“This acquisition is a key milestone for Cellnex”, continued the Deputy CEO. “It will strengthen Cellnex’ position in Poland following the recent acquisition of towers and sites from Play. What is more, this decision will allow us to hold to our commitment to evolve the traditional tower operator model towards an integrated telecommunications infrastructure management model, combining the operation of passive elements (towers) and active elements such as transmission equipment, radio links and fibre-tothe-tower.”

“This deal is further proof of the company’s confidence in the highly innovative, but also very competitive Polish market which, once the operation is concluded, will become one of Cellnex’s principal operations”.

“We are ideally placed –adds Santiago Argelich, Managing Director of Cellnex Poland– to bring our operational expertise and innovative approach to bear in a context where the Government and regulators are looking to encourage greater connectivity for all citizens and businesses through network development. We will be honored to be part of the country’s post-pandemic digitalization plans.”