New funding and consolidation positions Voneus as UK rural broadband market leader
25th September 2023
New funding and consolidation positions Voneus as UK rural broadband market leader
Macquarie Capital, Israel Infrastructure Fund (IIF) and Tiger Infrastructure Partners merge fibre businesses SWS Broadband and Cadence Networks into Voneus
Up to £250m new funding package provided by shareholders and senior lenders
Voneus acquires Broadway Partners
London and New York, 25th September 2023: Macquarie Capital, Israel Infrastructure Fund and Tiger Infrastructure Partners today announced that they have merged SWS Broadband and Cadence Networks with Voneus Broadband, and simultaneously acquired Broadway Partners. SWS Broadband, Cadence Networks and Broadway Partners all begin operating as part of Voneus as of today.
Tiger Infrastructure Partners, the principal shareholder of Rural Broadband Solutions, the holding company of SWS Broadband and Cadence Networks, will become a major shareholder in the combined group alongside Macquarie Capital (which initially invested in Voneus in 2019) and IIF, which first invested in Voneus in 2021.
The combined group will be funded with up to £250 million in new capital from the three shareholders and bank lenders to advance the company and the UK government’s shared objective of closing the digital divide. These developments put Voneus in a game-changing position to meet the needs of underserved communities with broadband connectivity. The combined company has a target to serve over 350,000 premises across the UK.
The current transaction creates a larger business that will benefit from numerous synergies including improved economies of scale, a larger future build pipeline, diversified contractor relationships, and strong backing from institutional shareholders. SWS Broadband, Cadence Networks, and Broadway Partners operate in areas adjacent to where Voneus is already active.
Christopher Traggio, CEO of Voneus Broadband, said: “This is a very exciting time for Voneus, and for our new partners, shareholders, and the communities we serve.”
“We have the backing of our shareholders to accelerate our roll-out plan, which we know will make a positive impact as we all share the same focus to deliver innovative broadband solutions to communities across the UK.”
“Welcoming SWS Broadband, Cadence Networks and Broadway Partners into Voneus provides us with even more opportunities to support businesses, individuals, and communities to thrive – fostering economic development, education, and communication to help improve the overall quality of life no matter where they are from.”
Oliver Bradley, Senior Managing Director at Macquarie Capital, said: “Voneus is already making a significant contribution to rural communities, but is only at the start of its journey. This important capital raise from three leading infrastructure investors and the joining of UK rural fibre players means we can rapidly accelerate the vital role we have in closing the digital divide nationwide.”
Yaron Kestenbaum, co-founder and managing partner of IIF said: “Our goal has always been to help Voneus evolve into a bigger and stronger business, with far wider outreach and solid institutional shareholder support. This merger will go a long way to achieving this.”
Emil W. Henry Jr., CEO of Tiger Infrastructure, commented: “The shared vision of Voneus and Rural Broadband Solutions has been to invest alongside the UK government to deliver best-in-class infrastructure and service to meet the connectivity needs of greatly underserved rural households and small businesses. We are pleased to be teaming up with Macquarie Capital and Israel Infrastructure Fund to rapidly advance the realisation of that vision.”
Macquarie Capital led on the debt fundraise. Tiger Infrastructure Partners was advised on the merger by Cameron Barney LLP.
The terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.
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About Macquarie Capital - Infrastructure and Energy Capital
Macquarie Capital is the advisory, capital markets and principal investment arm of Macquarie Group. It encompasses corporate advisory, a full spectrum of capital solutions, including capital raising services from equity, debt and private capital markets and principal investments from Macquarie’s balance sheet. Macquarie Capital has deep sector expertise in the aerospace, defence and government services, consumer, gaming and leisure, critical minerals, energy, financial institutions, healthcare, industrials, infrastructure, services, software, technology, telecommunications and media sectors.
Our Infrastructure and Energy Capital team invests Macquarie’s balance sheet into infrastructure and energy projects and companies. With over 25 years’ experience as a developer, investor and sponsor we combine technical expertise with flexible capital to deliver innovative infrastructure projects. Our team of over 120 experts has a broad mandate to invest in assets and companies across Digital, Energy Transition, and Social and Economic infrastructure sectors. By combining our deep expertise and unique capital solutions, we help clients and partners deliver sustainable, resilient and efficient infrastructure assets for communities across the globe.
About Tiger Infrastructure Partners
Tiger Infrastructure Partners is an innovative private equity firm focused on providing transformational growth capital to middle market infrastructure companies. Tiger's value-add approach targets growth investments across the Digital Infrastructure, Energy Transition and Transportation sectors in North America and Europe, where Tiger believes strong tailwinds are driving demand for new infrastructure. Tiger maintains offices in New York and London. For more information, visit www.tigerinfrastructure.com.
About IIF
Israel Infrastructure Fund (IIF) was a first mover in the Israeli infrastructure investment market – developing a well-established brand over the past 15+ years. IIF targets infrastructure assets in energy/renewable energy, transport & smart mobility, water, environment & natural resources, and digital infrastructure.
For more information, visit www.iif.co.il
About Voneus
Voneus is the champion of rural community broadband and a leading provider of superfast and ultrafast broadband for homes and businesses located in poorly connected or difficult to reach communities.
Founded in 2011 by a group of seasoned telecoms industry specialists, Voneus aims to become the UK’s number one provider of both superfast and ultrafast broadband services, bringing parity between rural areas and the UK’s towns and cities.