By Frances Rose, Head of EMEA, TowerXchange: A deal between Abertis and Wind, the Italian mobile network operator controlled by Russian telecoms giant Vimpelcom, is expected to close by the end of March. The deal, for a 90% stake in Wind’s tower subsidiary Galata, which owns 7377 towers, is worth €693 million or US$774 million.
The bidders
Abertis’ telecoms business focusses on telecoms, media and public administration, with tower sites to date in Spain and Italy. Currently the most acquisitive of the European towercos, their focus on creating a pipeline of tower acquisition opportunities across the continent in the face of limited competition is moving them quickly into the position of Europe’s largest multi-country towerco.
