Deutsche Telekom 'explores' tower asset sale or spin-off

Deutsche Telekom
(Image credit: Deutsche Telekom)

Deutsche Telekom is reportedly exploring the possibility of selling or spinning off its tower assets in Europe, becoming the latest mobile operator to seek ways to monetise its passive network infrastructure.

Bloomberg says the German operator is working with advisers on a series of possibilities – including a strategic partnership with another major European telecoms group, possibly Vodafone or Orange.

Vodafone has already spun off its tower assets into Vantage Towers, which went public last year, and a formal tie up with either operator would either establish or strengthen a major player in the European market.

Tower sale

Discussions with infrastructure firm Cellnex have also reportedly taken place, opening the possibility of the Spanish company adding German and Central European assets its ever growing portfolio of sites across the continent. Cellnex has acquired the majority of Three’s parent company CK Hutchison’s tower assets in Europe, however a deal in the UK has yet to be approved by regulators.

All four parties have been contacted for comment by TechRadar Pro.

Many operators have sought to either sell or spin off their tower assets in recent years, hoping to raise funds to invest in new networks. A sale generates immediate capital, while a separate entity or joint-venture can be more effective at monetising the infrastructure than if it stays in house.

Meanwhile, private equity firms and third party investors who can take a long term view appreciate the predictable returns and the scope for growth given the expected explosion in demand for mobile data and 5G services.  

Via Bloomberg

Steve McCaskill is TechRadar Pro's resident mobile industry expert, covering all aspects of the UK and global news, from operators to service providers and everything in between. He is a former editor of Silicon UK and journalist with over a decade's experience in the technology industry, writing about technology, in particular, telecoms, mobile and sports tech, sports, video games and media. 

Read more
Vodafone
Vodafone sells Italian business for €8 billion
Deutsche Telekom
Europe's largest telco wants to slash the cost of your router by reusing your old smartphone, and I think it's genius
A satellite over the earth next to hands holding as phone making a satellite video call with a man in Wales.
Vodafone makes 'world's first' satellite video call with a standard phone – here's why that's a big deal
TikTok ban
Could Oracle be about to take over TikTok? Trump reportedly backs plans for shock deal
Vodafone logo outside a store in Sydney
Vodafone employees could lose bonuses if they’re not in office 8 days per month
European Union technical background
EU tech companies push for digital sovereignty, reducing reliance on US and others
Latest in Pro
A person holding out their hand with a digital AI symbol.
AI is booming — but are businesses seeing real impact?
China
Notorious Chinese hackers FamousSparrow allegedly target US financial firms
A digital representation of a lock
NYU website defaced as hacker leaks info on a million students
NHS
NHS IT supplier hit with major fine following ransomware attack
A digital representation of blockchain.
Malicious npm packages use devious backdoors to target users
A business woman looking at AI on a transparent screen
Most businesses are now fully embracing AI - but aren't always protected against the risks
Latest in News
Shigeru Miyamoto presents Nintendo Today app
Nintendo Today smartphone app is out now on iOS and Android devices – and here's what it does
Nintendo Virtual Game Card
Nintendo reveals the new Virtual Game Card feature, an easier way to manage your digital Switch games
Nintendo Switch 2
The Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order date has seemingly been confirmed by Best Buy Canada – here's when you'll be able to order yours
Person printing
Microsoft’s latest Windows 11 update exorcises possessed printers that spewed out pages of random characters
Pro-Ject A1.2 in black, playing a vinyl record in a hi-fi listening room
Pro-Ject's new fully-automatic turntable could be the buy of Record Store Day 2025
Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet
Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet reportedly won't release until after 2026, as Neil Druckmann says that staff 'are playing it at the office' right now - but I don't think I can wait that long