Vantage Towers to provide tower infrastructure for 1&1´s 5G network
1&1 to get access to at least 3,800 and potentially up to 5,000 existing sites throughout Germany for the next 20 years
- Landmark agreement launching a long-term partnership for growth in Vantage Towers’
largest market - Primarily co-locations on a mix of rooftop towers and ground-based infrastructure
Düsseldorf, 9 December 2021 – Vantage Towers, a leading tower company in Europe, has entered into a long-term contract with 1&1 for the provision of passive infrastructure to build Germany’s fourth mobile network. Vantage Towers will be providing 1&1 access to up to 5,000 existing sites.
Vivek Badrinath, CEO of Vantage Towers: “The partnership with 1&1 is another important milestone for us, and it demonstrates our ability to attract exciting organic growth opportunities. By co-locating on our sites, 1&1 can proceed with a timely launch of its 5G network cost effectively and with high quality. We’re delighted to be supporting the fast roll-out of 5G in Germany and a sustainable digital transformation in Europe.”
Ralph Dommermuth, CEO of 1&1 AG: “With Vantage Towers, we have gained a strong partner for the passive infrastructure of our 5G mobile network. By cooperating with established tower companies, we want to primarily use existing antenna sites. This is environmentally friendly, conserves resources and at the same time accelerates our rollout.”
Access to at least 3,800 sites by the end of 2025
The first sites will be made available next year with the aim of ensuring access to at least 3,800 sites by the end of calendar year 2025. These will predominantly be existing sites. The contract has a first term until the end of 2040, with the option for 1&1 to extend until 2060.
The agreement with 1&1 underpins confidence in the Company's ability to deliver at the upper end of its medium-term targets1 . In particular, the Company’s mid-term tenancy ratio target of >1.5x is now highly secured as a result of the additional 3,800 tenancies contracted with 1&1, delivering increased revenue growth visibility for the Company. Vantage Towers’ guidance for the current financial year (FY 2021-22) is unchanged.
About 1&1 AG
1&1 AG is a listed telecommunications provider based in Maintal, Germany. The company is part of the United Internet AG group. 1&1 offers its customers a comprehensive portfolio of wireless services and broadband access. It also offers attractive bundled products comprising mobile and fixed-network services, as well as value-added applications such as home networking, online storage, video-on-demand, smart home solutions and IPTV. While the brand 1&1 addresses value and premium segments, the Group's discount brands appeal to price-conscious target groups.
Following its successful participation in the 5G frequency auction, 1&1 is in the starting blocks for the construction of an innovative mobile network based on the new OpenRAN technology. In May 2021, 1&1 signed a national roaming agreement with Telefónica Deutschland, which will enable the company to offer its customers nationwide reception already in the roll-out phase of its new network. In August 2021, the company announced its far-reaching technology partnership with the world's leading OpenRAN expert Rakuten.
About Vantage Towers
Vantage Towers AG is a leading tower company in Europe with around 82,000 sites in ten countries, connecting people, businesses and devices in cities and rural areas.
The company was founded in 2020 and is headquartered in Düsseldorf, Germany. Vantage Towers has been listed on the Deutsche Börse’s Prime Standard Index in Frankfurt since 18 March 2021. On 20 September the company was admitted to the MDAX and TecDAX.
Vantage Towers’ portfolio includes towers, masts, rooftop sites, distributed antenna systems (DAS) and small cells. By building, operating and leasing this passive infrastructure to MNOs, IoT providers or public utility companies Vantage Towers is making a significant contribution to better connectivity and the sustainable digital transformation of Europe.
