Paris, November 21, 2018 – Banque des Territoires takes a 30% equity stake in Anjou Fibre, a venture subsidiary of digital infrastructure operator TDF, with a view to supporting ultra high-speed broadband roll-out in Maine-et-Loire’s sparsely populated areas.
Anjou Fibre was formed in February 2018 to install, operate and market Anjou’s optical fiber network under a public service outsourcing agreement.
TDF, “impartial and open” infrastructure operator
In February 2018, following a tender lasting several months, the Anjou Digital Joint Syndicate awarded TDF a contract to operate the public initiative network of Maine-et-Loire. The contract covers services over a five-year period throughout the county’s public initiative area, which represents over 220,000 plugs, with a view to providing ultra high-speed broadband to local residents and businesses.
Prior to Maine-et-Loire’s public initiative network, TDF won the call for investment commitments from French county Les Yvelines (110,000 plugs) and public service outsourcing contracts from French county Val d’Oise (85,000 plugs) and the Loire Valley (300,000 plugs). These contract wins shore up the company’s fiber market share thereby validating its strategy to bring ultra high-speed broadband to rural areas.
Banque des Territoires has 53 public initiative networks delivering ultra high-speed broadband
To bring about superfast broadband coverage throughout Anjou including rural and sparsely populated areas, Banque des Territoires takes all steps at its disposal; specifically, it takes minority stakes in infrastructure and internet services ventures. Alongside government agencies and corporations, the bank contributes to regional development benefiting both local residents and business. By investing in Anjou Fibre, the bank now funds development of 53 public initiative networks.
Olivier Huart, TDF Group CEO, said: “Against the background of public policy stepping up regional broadband coverage, I am thrilled that, as longstanding digital infrastructure operator we are building on our relations with Banque des Territoires, which invests in local municipality ventures. We can now offer Banque des Territoires an end-to-end solution encompassing top-quality services, a local presence and long- term support. Anjou Fibre, TDF and Banque des Territoires will invest more than €200 million over the next few years to ensure the venture thrives.”
Olivier Sichel, Banque des Territoires senior vice president, said: “Equipping urban and rural areas with superfast broadband is a top priority. Our close partnership with TDF once again testifies to our support for public initiative network operators. Under the banner of serving the general public, we strive to bring about more appealing, inclusive, and connected regions”.
This latest deal shores up TDF’s partnership with Banque des Territoires, including both firms teaming up to invest in Belvédère, a joint venture tasked with bringing mobile phone coverage to black spots. The two firms’ partnership was further strengthened when Banque des Territoires took minority stakes in TDF subsidiaries Val d’Oise Fibre in February 2018 and Val de Loire Fibre in September 2018, which are charged with rolling out optical fiber on the public initiative networks of French counties Val d’Oise, Indre-et-Loire and Loir-et-Cher.