MADRID, November 25 (EUROPE PRESS) –
A fiber joint venture between Telefónica and Vodafone Spain has begun to attract market attention, with four funds already expressing interest in becoming the new company’s third partner, specialist media outlet Merger Market reports.
These are, in particular, Vauban Infrastructure Partners, AXA Investment Managers, the Canadian fund Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) and the Singapore sovereign wealth fund (GIC).
In this context, it is worth remembering that the agreement concluded between Telefónica and Vodafone Spain provides that the former will control 63% of the joint venture, and the latter the remaining 37%.
However, the plan for both companies is to find a third investor who will take over about 40% of the new company, with Telefónica expected to retain a controlling position and Vodafone Spain the remaining 10%.
The two telecoms companies are being consulted by Barclays and BBVA during the search process and the first expressions of interest have already been received, according to published information.
In this context, sources from Telefónica, Vodafone Spain and BBVA, consulted by Europa Press, declined to comment on the matter.
British fund Zegona (which has controlled Vodafone Spain since June last year) indicated that the new company is expected to achieve a gross operating result (Ebitda) – a figure that measures a company’s profitability – of 125 million euros three years after creation. joint venture.
The final closure of the operation is expected to be subject to regulatory approvals, which are expected to be received in early 2025, although the addition of a third investor is estimated to be in the first half of next year.
The joint venture will cover approximately 3.6 million properties, the assets of which are currently part of Telefonica de España’s fiber network and make up about 12% of its national network.
In addition, the company is expected to initially have around 1.4 million customers, implying a penetration rate of approximately 40%, as Telefónica explains in a statement sent to the National Securities Market Commission (CNMV).
Telefónica also said that as part of the deal, the group will sign a number of service contracts with the new company.