Infrastructure Brief

14/03/2024

Private equity firm KKR & Co has pledged to invest $400 million in the Philippines’ telecoms tower operations, according to an announcement by the US Department of Commerce. KKR will develop and acquire approximately 2,000 towers to support digital connectivity across the country. This investment follows a two-day trade and investment mission led by US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, which resulted in the Philippines securing over $1 billion in commitments from American firms, including Google, Visa, and Microsoft.

Private equity firm KKR & Co has pledged to invest $400 million in the Philippines’ telecoms tower operations, according to an announcement by the US Department of Commerce. KKR will develop and acquire approximately 2,000 towers to support digital connectivity across the country. This invest...

08/03/2024

KKR, a New York-listed private equity group, has raised a record-breaking $6.4bn for its latest pan-regional infrastructure fund, the Asia Pacific Infrastructure Partners II. With the addition of this second fund, KKR’s Asian infrastructure business now has $13bn in assets under management. The fund has largely avoided investing in China, focusing instead on markets such as India, South Korea, the Philippines, Japan, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand.

The rush into infrastructure by private equity firms has been driven by the energy transition and digitalisation, with investors attracted to the stable returns that the asset class offers amid global volatility. KKR has made ten investments so far from the new fund, deploying more than half of the capital across energy, digital infrastructure, and manufacturing assets. The investments include a $650mn investment in Indian decarbonisation group Serentica Renewables, an $800mn injection for a 20% stake in Singapore telecoms company Singtel’s data centre business, and a $400mn investment into Asian subsea cable business OMS Group.

KKR, a New York-listed private equity group, has raised a record-breaking $6.4bn for its latest pan-regional infrastructure fund, the Asia Pacific Infrastructure Partners II. With the addition of this second fund, KKR’s Asian infrastructure business now has $13bn in assets under management. The ...

08/03/2024

Comsys (GH) Limited is an ICT Telecoms company in Ghana that was incorporated under the laws of Ghana with operations all over the nation. The company started operations very small in January 2000, although incorporated in 1998 by a group of friends who were then students at the time. From a small and humble beginning, the operations of the firm started from selling computer accessories, deploying Local Area Networks (LAN), sales and support of network security software.

Comsys (GH) Limited is an ICT Telecoms company in Ghana that was incorporated under the laws of Ghana with operations all over the nation. The company started operations very small in January 2000, although incorporated in 1998 by a group of friends who were then students at the time. From a small a...

05/03/2024

Vietnam’s Information and Communication Infrastructure Master Plan for the Period 2021-2030, with a Vision to 2050, aims to establish a trajectory for the country’s information technology infrastructure development in its pursuit of a high-tech future. The Master Plan, initially unveiled in January 2024, was sanctioned by Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính as Decision 36/QD-TTg on February 23, 2024.

Vietnam’s Information and Communication Infrastructure Master Plan for the Period 2021-2030, with a Vision to 2050, aims to establish a trajectory for the country’s information technology infrastructure development in its pursuit of a high-tech future. The Master Plan, initially unveiled in Janu...

05/03/2024

The telecommunications sector plays a crucial role in the collection and transmission of information, making it a vital component of national security and geopolitics. With only a few companies capable of providing next-generation network infrastructure, the sector has become increasingly important in the global arena. As tensions between the United States and China continue to rise, telecommunications has become an area of international competition that has started to filter down into Southeast Asia. The region’s governments have adopted different approaches and levels of engagement concerning Chinese involvement in their national telecom sectors, with varying degrees of risk perception.

The telecommunications sector plays a crucial role in the collection and transmission of information, making it a vital component of national security and geopolitics. With only a few companies capable of providing next-generation network infrastructure, the sector has become increasingly importan...

03/03/2024

The Dangote oil refinery, funded by Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, is expected to turn Nigeria into a net exporter of fuels, a long-sought goal for the OPEC member that almost entirely relies on imports. The refinery, with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, received its first cargo of 1 million barrels of crude oil from Shell International Trading and Shipping Co (STASCO) on Friday, December 8, 2023, bringing the start of operations closer after years of delays. The cargo of 1 million barrels of crude from Agbami, a deep water field run by Chevron, was the first of 6 million barrels that would enable an initial run of the refinery.

The Dangote oil refinery, funded by Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, is expected to turn Nigeria into a net exporter of fuels, a long-sought goal for the OPEC member that almost entirely relies on imports. The refinery, with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, received its first cargo of 1 ...

03/03/2024

The financial world recently witnessed a significant move in the infrastructure sector with the announcement of a merger between BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, and Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), a leading independent infrastructure investor. This strategic union could potentially reshape the competitive landscape, as both entities bring considerable resources and expertise to the table. Together, they position themselves to capitalize on growing global demands for infrastructure investment, fueled by economic growth and an emphasis on sustainable development.

The financial world recently witnessed a significant move in the infrastructure sector with the announcement of a merger between BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, and Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), a leading independent infrastructure investor. This strategic union could potenti...

02/03/2024

Peppertree Capital appears to be standing behind its troubled Guatemalan tower co. CEO, Jorge Gaitan, despite dramatic developments in El Salvador.

They say that loyalty is easy when it doesn’t cost you anything, but when the going gets tough, you find out the true meaning of the word. Peppertree Capital Management, the Chagrin Falls-based private equity firm with some $4.8 billion of assets under management, is currently going through one su...

02/03/2024

Deutsche Telekom, a major player in the telecommunications industry, is set to bring its advanced 5G Standalone (5G SA) technology to private users in Germany in 2024. This marks a significant shift in the telecom landscape, expanding the state-of-the-art technology beyond its current business clientele.

A New Era of Connectivity Deutsche Telekom, a major player in the telecommunications industry, is set to bring its advanced 5G Standalone (5G SA) technology to private users in Germany in 2024. This marks a significant shift in the telecom landscape, expanding the state-of-the-art technology beyond....

02/03/2024

China is set to focus on mining and energy overseas investments in 2024 as part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), according to a report by the Green Finance and Development Centre at Fudan University. The report stated that the projects would fit the next phase of the initiative, which seeks to facilitate cross-border trade by building infrastructure projects across Asia, Africa, and Europe. The reasons for this shift in focus are economic, political, and driven by the growth in electricity needs and transition minerals. The report also identified a “clear need” for renewable energy investment to stoke growth and support a “green transition” in China, as well as in countries involved in the initiative.

China is set to focus on mining and energy overseas investments in 2024 as part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), according to a report by the Green Finance and Development Centre at Fudan University. The report stated that the projects would fit the next phase of the initiative, which seeks to...

02/03/2024

An Actis-led consortium has acquired the macro tower portfolio of Telekom Srbija, a leading telecommunications operator in the CEE region, across Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Montenegro. The carved-out portfolio is comprised of approximately 1.8k macro towers (of which c. 1.0k in Serbia, c.0.7k in Bosnia & Herzegovina, c. 0.1k in Montenegro) and is well placed for further commercialisation and expansion. As part of the transaction, an independent tower company has been established, fully controlled by Actis, which has entered into a long-term master services agreement (MSA) with Telekom Srbija as the tower company’s anchor tenant and important partner for future growth; the MSA contemplates build-to-suit (BTS) commitments to further expand the platform’s reach and to accommodate new telecommunications technologies that will be rolled out in the region.

An Actis-led consortium has acquired the macro tower portfolio of Telekom Srbija, a leading telecommunications operator in the CEE region, across Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Montenegro. The carved-out portfolio is comprised of approximately 1.8k macro towers (of which c. 1.0k in Serbia, c.0.7k....

02/03/2024

The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) is a significant infrastructure project in Malaysia, connecting the country’s east and west coasts with more than 400 miles of train tracks. The project is being constructed by China Communications Construction Co. (CCCC), a state contractor under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The BRI is a vast portfolio of overseas infrastructure investments that Chinese leader Xi Jinping launched a decade ago, underpinned by Chinese state financing. However, the ECRL has faced challenges in terms of budget and deadlines, which is symbolic of the difficulties faced by the BRI.

The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) is a significant infrastructure project in Malaysia, connecting the country’s east and west coasts with more than 400 miles of train tracks. The project is being constructed by China Communications Construction Co. (CCCC), a state contractor under the Belt and Road ...

02/03/2024

Recent legislation has introduced substantial modifications to Brazil’s tax system with an emphasis on infrastructure investment and corporate taxation. Key among these is the enactment of Law 14,801/2024, which institutes a new category of infrastructure debentures, providing tax advantages to issuers on the basis of additional interest deductions. This law paves the way for two distinct funding approaches for infrastructure projects: the new legislation which benefits the issuers and a pre-existing law that provides tax exemptions to the debenture holders. Additionally, these debentures offer flexibility through provisions such as exchange rate variation clauses.

Recent legislation has introduced substantial modifications to Brazil’s tax system with an emphasis on infrastructure investment and corporate taxation. Key among these is the enactment of Law 14,801/2024, which institutes a new category of infrastructure debentures, providing tax advantages to is...

02/03/2024

In an era where the digital divide continues to present significant challenges, a groundbreaking partnership in South Africa is setting the stage for transformative change. The collaboration between Intelsat, a global powerhouse in satellite and terrestrial network operations, and Openserve, South Africa’s leading telecommunications infrastructure provider, marks a pivotal step forward in bridging this divide. Their renewed and expanded alliance promises to modernize over 900 sites across the nation, ensuring that enhanced and reliable satellite connectivity reaches every corner of South Africa.

In an era where the digital divide continues to present significant challenges, a groundbreaking partnership in South Africa is setting the stage for transformative change. The collaboration between Intelsat, a global powerhouse in satellite and terrestrial network operations, and Openserve, South A...

17/02/2024

https://infrastructurAn Actis-led consortium has acquired the macro tower portfolio of Telekom Srbija, a leading telecommunications operator in the CEE region, across Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Montenegro. The carved-out portfolio is comprised of approximately 1.8k macro towers (of which c. 1.0k in Serbia, c.0.7k in Bosnia & Herzegovina, c. 0.1k in Montenegro) and is well placed for further commercialisation and expansion. As part of the transaction, an independent tower company has been established, fully controlled by Actis, which has entered into a long-term master services agreement (MSA) with Telekom Srbija as the tower company’s anchor tenant and important partner for future growth; the MSA contemplates build-to-suit (BTS) commitments to further expand the platform’s reach and to accommodate new telecommunications technologies that will be rolled out in the region.

17/02/2024

https://infrastructurAn Actis-led consortium has acquired the macro tower portfolio of Telekom Srbija, a leading telecommunications operator in the CEE region, across Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Montenegro. The carved-out portfolio is comprised of approximately 1.8k macro towers (of which c. 1.0k in Serbia, c.0.7k in Bosnia & Herzegovina, c. 0.1k in Montenegro) and is well placed for further commercialisation and expansion. As part of the transaction, an independent tower company has been established, fully controlled by Actis, which has entered into a long-term master services agreement (MSA) with Telekom Srbija as the tower company’s anchor tenant and important partner for future growth; the MSA contemplates build-to-suit (BTS) commitments to further expand the platform’s reach and to accommodate new telecommunications technologies that will be rolled out in the region.
ebrief.com/actis-scoops-up-tower-portfolio-in-western-balkans/

An Actis-led consortium has acquired the macro tower portfolio of Telekom Srbija, a leading telecommunications operator in the CEE region, across Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Montenegro. The carved-out portfolio is comprised of approximately 1.8k macro towers (of which c. 1.0k in Serbia, c.0.7k....

27/06/2023

If you've ever wondered how to access London's most elite, exclusive clubs for the ultra-wealthy - here is where you start:

A rundown of the clubs its worth joining (plus how to get in for less).

27/06/2023

six companies controlling most of the telecoms market all charged a 3.9 percentage point supplement on top of their annual inflation-linked increases this year.

The practice means millions of customers have faced mid-contract price increases of up to 17.3%, which economists said risked prolonging the cost of living crisis and adding to the pressure on the Bank of England to raise interest rates.

Labour accused the government of being “asleep at the wheel” on broadband pricing, while the telecoms regulator Ofcom responded by saying it was “taking a close look” at the issue “to consider whether tougher protections are needed”.

Government accused of being ‘asleep at the wheel’ after firms push through biggest round of price hikes since 1991

27/06/2023

London mayoral hopeful Daniel Korski today said he "categorically denies" groping a TV writer - and refused to quit the race to City Hall.

Last night Daisy Goodwin, the creator of ITV hit drama Victoria, said Mr Korski, 46, touched her breast in 2013.

LONDON mayoral hopeful Daniel Korski today said he “categorically denies” groping a TV writer – and refused to quit the race to City Hall. Last night Daisy Goodwin, the creator of…

27/06/2023

You may be royal, but you still have to work.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle lost their cushy $15 million Spotify podcast deal after an outraged exec at the streaming service "fired" the money-grubbing couple and branded them "grifters." The Duke and Duchess of Sussex "were banking" on their royal status to make them superstars, but sources claimed the pair didn't break a sweat to earn their keep.

"Taking selfies while wearing beautiful clothes beats working for a living, but as the Sussexes' popularity plummets, no one seems to be biting. And Hollywood seems to be catching on!"

27/06/2023

Sometimes billionaires have to take Ubers, too.

Mahindra Group chairman Anand Mahindra has been sharing pictures from his US tour on Twitter. He was part of the Indian business delegation to the US

27/06/2023

Spain’s Telefonica (TEF.MC) has hired investment bank Goldman Sachs (GS.N) to sell its 50% stake in a mobile masts operator in Britain, El Confidencial reported on Monday, citing sources close to the matter.

The stake in Cornerstone Telecommunications Infrastructure Limited, which Telefonica shares with UK rival Vodafone (VOD.L), would be worth around 2 billion euros ($2.4 billion), El Confidencial said.

A spokesman for Telefonica declined to comment and officials at Goldman Sachs didn’t immediately reply to a request for comment.

https://infrastructurebrief.com/telefonica-hires-goldman-sachs-to-sell-uk-mobile-masts-stake/

Spain’s Telefonica (TEF.MC) has hired investment bank Goldman Sachs (GS.N) to sell its 50% stake in a mobile masts operator in Britain, El Confidencial reported on Monday, citing sources close to the matter. The stake in Cornerstone Telecommunications Infrastructure Limited, which Telefonica share...

27/06/2023

A tender has been launched for the electronic infrastructure and procurement of materials for the Derinya and Aplic border crossings points.

Civil service officers for both crossing points will also be hired, it has been announced.

The deadline for electronic infrastructure tenders announced by the Central Tender Committee ends on July 4.

A tender has been launched for the electronic infrastructure and procurement of materials for the Derinya and Aplic border crossings points. Civil service officers for both crossing points will also be hired, it has been announced. The deadline for electronic infrastructure tenders announced by the....

27/06/2023

Speaking at the White House on Monday, Biden said the goal of connecting all Americans to high-speed internet is “bold” but “there’s nothing beyond our capacity.”

In addition to highlighting the importance of the Affordable Connectivity Program — an FCC-run initiative that is not guaranteed continued funding beyond early 2024 — Biden emphasized the role of the BEAD funding in creating new jobs for Americans, stressing that cable used in BEAD projects would be American-made.

The BEAD allocations have been a long time coming, with states waiting for months to learn exactly how much funding they will receive from the $42.45 billion program — the crown jewel in the Biden administration’s “Internet for All” agenda.

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris announced Monday how nearly $42.5 billion in Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment funds will be divided among states and territories, marking the federal government’s single-biggest investment in high-speed internet access. Speaking at the W...

27/06/2023

TAWAL, a unit of Saudi Telecom Company, agreed to buy tower infrastructure worth 1.22 billion-euros ($1.34 billion) from United Group in its first foray into Europe’s telecoms market, the southeast European firm said on Thursday.

TAWAL, a tower infrastructure unit that STC carved out in 2018, will buy the mobile infrastructure unit of United Group in Bulgaria, Croatia and Slovenia, which has more than 4,800 towers, United Group said in a statement.

TAWAL, a unit of Saudi Telecom Company, agreed to buy tower infrastructure worth 1.22 billion-euros ($1.34 billion) from United Group in its first foray into Europe’s telecoms market, the southeast European firm said on Thursday. TAWAL, a tower infrastructure unit that STC carved out in 2018, will...

27/06/2023

Kapsch TrafficCom is to begin work on a connected vehicle project in northern Spain, providing hardware and software to help digitise a 60km stretch of the A8 freeway near Bilbao by 2024.

It has installed 25 roadside units along the highway, which will act as key points for receiving and distributing information between vehicles and the control centre via wireless technology.

Meanwhile, its software enables direct communication with networked vehicles and provides real-time traffic data to the control centre, “enabling efficient decision-making and traffic management”.

Kapsch TrafficCom is to begin work on a connected vehicle project in northern Spain, providing hardware and software to help digitise a 60km stretch of the A8 freeway near Bilbao by 2024. It has installed 25 roadside units along the highway, which will act as key points for receiving and distributin...

18/12/2022

Bechtel has won a massive tender to design and build the first phase of Intel Corp.’s $20 billion semiconductor manufacturing facility near Columbus, Ohio, a project that will include as much steel as eight Eiffel Towers.

The work will include a total 2.5 million square feet, 600,000 square feet of which will be cleanrooms, according to a Nov. 28 announcement from the global engineering and construction company.

“Bechtel is proud to work with Intel and the people of Ohio to reclaim U.S. semiconductor manufacturing,” said Bechtel Manufacturing and Technology President Catherine Hunt Ryan in a statement. “A project of this complexity and magnitude — with an outsized impact on the community and economy — is the type of work Bechtel is uniquely positioned to deliver. We are honored to be chosen by Intel as its partner and we are ready to build their most advanced semiconductor facilities in the world.”

Reston-based Bechtel Corp. has been selected to design and build the first phase of Intel Corp.’s $20 billion semiconductor manufacturing facility near Columbus, Ohio, a project that will include as…

18/12/2022

"T-Mobile's claims are outright dishonest and completely false. It is not the first time they have spread misleading information," Fletcher Cook, AT&T's vice president of corporate communications, said in a statement accompanying the filing.

Cook's statement adds that AT&T "offers wireless discounts to people of all ages, including seniors in all 50 states. The only way to stop the un-truthful carrier is apparently in a court of law, and that's where we are."

https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/at-t-files-lawsuit-against-t-mobiles-marketing-campaign-targeting-seniors/

12/05/2021

Private equity consolidation in LatAm telecoms has become a big concern lately.

Are Goldman Sachs and Peppertree Capital Management in hot water over an attempt to "steal" a tower company?

According to a report by BNamericas, Terra Towers is suing Torrecom over an attempted squeeze-out merger as the private equity firms allegedly tried to force a $60 million sale of a $600 million company ... but didn't work this time.

Are local players waking up to the usual private equity maneuvering? Or will the same abusive trends continue?

https://www.bnamericas.com/en/news/terra-towers-optimistic-despite-legal-predicament

The tower company's Continental Towers unit, with presence across Latin America, accuses several players of trying to force a merger but will keep investing ...