TLDR
- Cellnex exits France with €391M Towerlink sale to Vauban Infra Fibre.
- Towerlink deal aligns with Cellnex’s push to refocus and cut debt.
- Vauban boosts digital assets with new French Edge data centers.
- Towerlink’s 80+ sites now power Vauban’s expanding fiber network.
- Deal marks Europe’s growing trend of telecom infrastructure shifts.
Cellnex has agreed to sell its French data center unit Towerlink to Vauban Infra Fibre for €391 million in cash. This marks a full exit from its French data center business as part of its financial realignment strategy. The sale involves 99.99% of Towerlink’s share capital and will be completed through Cellnex’s subsidiary in France.
The transaction, structured as a put option agreement, transfers ownership of Towerlink’s operations to Vauban Infra Fibre. The buyer, backed by Crédit Agricole Assurances and GIC’s Raffles, strengthens its digital infrastructure footprint. The deal is expected to close after meeting standard regulatory and contractual conditions.
Cellnex confirmed that Towerlink has been responsible for its Edge data centers across France. These assets have supported urban connectivity, serving clients like Bouygues Telecom. The firm says this divestment aligns with its goal to focus on mobile tower assets and reduce debt.
Towerlink Divestment Aligns with Cellnex’s Strategic Shift
Cellnex has made several asset sales this year to refocus on core infrastructure operations across Europe. The sale of Towerlink follows previous disposals in Austria and Ireland, bringing total proceeds to over €2 billion. This pivot reflects the firm’s move away from acquisitions and toward strengthening its balance sheet.
Towerlink manages a large network of Edge data centers across key French cities. Around 80 of its 130 planned sites have been deployed, offering scalable digital infrastructure. These locations include Paris, Marseille, Lyon, and others, with additional facilities under construction.
Cellnex stated that this sale supports disciplined capital allocation and long-term operational efficiency. The transaction also simplifies its French operations while retaining its mobile tower presence. The group manages over 110,000 tower sites in ten countries, including France, Spain, and Italy.
Vauban Infra Fibre Expands Digital Asset Portfolio with Towerlink
Vauban Infra Fibre aims to grow its presence in France’s digital ecosystem through the acquisition of Towerlink. This move adds a network of urban Edge data centers to its existing fiber infrastructure. VIF currently manages over 13 million FTTH lines across various regions.
The acquisition also enhances VIF’s partnership with Towerlink’s main customer, Bouygues Telecom. It plans to implement synergies with other assets in its portfolio to boost scale and efficiency. Vauban Infrastructure Partners, the parent fund, has raised €10 billion across multiple infrastructure vehicles.
VIF was supported by advisors including Nomura, Altman Solon, and Clifford Chance Europe LLP during the transaction. Towerlink will now operate under VIF’s platform to accelerate data center deployment. The integration is expected to strengthen service delivery and regional connectivity across France.
Context and Industry Positioning
Towerlink played a critical role in Cellnex’s French data center ambitions since its founding seven years ago. Its facilities formed part of Cellnex’s NexLoop unit, which aimed to deliver low-latency infrastructure for urban environments. With this sale, Cellnex exits that segment entirely within France.
Despite the sale, Cellnex remains active in digital infrastructure through its towers in Spain, the Netherlands, and other countries. It continues to operate high-tech telecom and data towers and owns a major Dutch data center. The company now prioritizes tower expansion and operational efficiency across Europe.
The Towerlink transaction signals increasing consolidation in the European data center and telecom infrastructure space. Companies like Vauban are expanding their asset base while operators like Cellnex streamline portfolios. Both sides see long-term value in efficient digital infrastructure development.
