Dutch cablenet CAIW has been sold to the Swedish investment fund EQT Infrastructure.
It had been owned by Rabo Bouwfonds Communication Infrastructure Fund.
CAIW, which represents 350,000 households in the Netherlands, will now be placed in the same holding company as Delta. The regional telecom infrastructure company employs approximately 210 people and generated sales of €112 million in 2016.
EQT is promising to invest in the development of the network including the expansion of the existing fibre network.
“EQT Infrastructure looks forward to supporting CAIW’s growth journey in the Dutch telecom and infrastructure market. Following last year’s investment in the telecom infrastructure company Delta, the acquisition of CAIW fortifies EQT Infrastructure’s commitment to the Dutch fibre segment”, says Matthias Fackler, Partner at EQT Partners and Investment Advisor to EQT Infrastructure.
EQT Infrastructure will invest in the continued development of CAIW’s growth strategy while strengthening its market position and exploring opportunities to expand its existing fibre network.
‘With support of institutional investors, we have developed large-scale fibre networks in different areas of the Netherlands. We are especially proud that CAIW successfully rolled out optical fibre to municipalities and households in rural areas. Welcoming EQT Infrastructure as the new investor will guarantee continuity of CAIW’s services and shape the ambitions for the future,” said Joost Goderie.
The transaction is subject to customary conditions, including a works council consultation procedure and the approval of the Autoriteit Consument & Markt (ACM).
It is expected to close in Q4, 2017.
