The creation of Poland’s largest fixed broadband network, providing over 6 million households with services in a wholesale access model, has moved a stage closer.
According to iliad-owned Play, plans to create the network in cooperation with the French private equity company InfraVia Capital Partners, which specialises in infrastructure and technology investments, were first announced in June 19 last year. Following on from the agreement, InfraVia has now acquired 50% of Play’s subsidiary PSO.
As part of the agreement, Play transferred to its subsidiary the assets of UPC Polska’s HFC network covering 3.7 million households, and as part of the cooperation, PSO will expand the range of broadband internet services to over 6 million households in the medium term.
The expansion of the fibre optic network and the modernisation of the current HFC infrastructure to FTTH technology will be carried out in the XGS-PON standard, which will allow operators to use the PSO network to provide FTTH internet services with a speed of up to 5 Gbps.
Play adds that the network infrastructure will be available to other telecom operators in an open and non-discriminatory access model. The closing of the transaction changes the status quo on the market by making the largest broadband network available in the wholesale model to every operator in Poland, providing better access to broadband services to customers throughout the country.
Commenting on the transaction, Jean Marc Harion, CEO of Play Group, said: “Play’s cooperation with InfraVia will accelerate the development of the largest open fibre optic network in Poland. Our huge investments in fiber optic infrastructure will enable millions of Polish customers to use super-fast internet, which is essential in the everyday life of each of us. The decision to offer open access to infrastructure is in line with Play’s mission to ensure freedom of choice for all customers, and this groundbreaking approach will accelerate Poland’s digitisation”.
Meanwhile, Thomas Reynaud, iliad’s CEO, said: “This transaction marks a turning point in the growth of the iliad Group’s business in Poland. The partnership with InfraVia will provide a boost for the fixed Internet services market in Poland through an open access model, offering all operators equal access to the country’s largest fiber network, which will eventually cover half of all Polish households. The planned investment program will significantly contribute to the development of Polish regions, cities and industry”.
Vincent Levita, founder and CEO of InfraVia Capital Partners added: ” We are delighted to be expanding our partnership with the iliad group through this joint venture with Play Group. This investment leverages all of our experience in telecommunication infrastructure throughout Europe. Broadband access is an essential service that facilitates inclusive digital transformation and we are proud to be supporting this transition that will culminate in the largest broadband network in Poland”.
