Ooredoo Q.P.S.C. and Mobile Telecommunications Company K.S.C.P. (Zain Group) have announced the first closing of their transaction, marking a significant milestone in the launch of their regional telecom tower platform. The platform will be owned equally by both groups, with each holding a 50% stake. The combined assets represent a portfolio of around 4,000 telecom towers.
The platform aims to optimize capital efficiency, support the development of digital infrastructure, and reduce carbon footprint. As the platform grows, it will provide "infrastructure as a service" to telecom operators, allowing them to access infrastructure while optimizing capital investments. This will contribute to the continuous development of digital infrastructure in the region.
The deal is expected to generate significant value through economies of scale, improved capital efficiency, and a specialized operational model based on passive telecom infrastructure. The platform will also enable the provision of services such as infrastructure sharing and site hosting.
Ooredoo and Zain will retain ownership and control of their respective active infrastructure, including technical equipment, software, and intellectual property necessary for the operation and management of their telecom networks. The two companies will continue to operate their networks independently.
Aziz Aluthman Fakhroo, CEO of Ooredoo Group, said the first closing marks a major step in establishing a regional telecom tower platform designed to generate significant value and with clear expansion prospects. He expressed gratitude to the Qatar Communications Regulatory Authority and the Ministry of Municipality of the State of Qatar for their support.
Bader Nasser Al-Kharafi, Vice Chairman and CEO of Zain Group, said the deal represents a significant advancement in the evolution of digital infrastructure for both groups. He emphasized that the platform will play an increasingly important role in strengthening the digital foundations of both groups and promoting the emergence of next-generation connectivity services.
Ooredoo and Zain are major players in the telecom industry, with Ooredoo operating in nine countries across the Middle East, North Africa, and Southeast Asia, and Zain operating in nine markets across the Middle East and Africa. The partnership is expected to drive growth and innovation in the region's digital infrastructure.
Key points
- Ooredoo and Zain have launched a regional telecom tower platform, combining their tower assets in Qatar and Kuwait.
- The platform aims to optimize capital efficiency, support digital infrastructure development, and reduce carbon footprint.
- The deal is expected to generate significant value through economies of scale and improved capital efficiency.
