Bharti Airtel, a leading global telecommunications services provider with operations in 20 countries across Asia and Africa has divested approximately 950 telecoms towers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to Helios Towers Africa(HTA).
The deal is expected to significantly reduce Airtel's ongoing capital expenditure on passive infrastructure and also mitigate the proliferation of towers through enhanced sharing. It will also expand HTA's tower coverage in Africa to over 6,500 owned towers.
Last month, Bharti Airtel entered into an agreement with American Tower, through its subsidiary company, Airtel Tanzania, for the sale of approximately 1,350 of its communications towers in Tanzania.
Kash Pandya, Chief Executive Officer of Helios Towers Africa
HTA is proud to be chosen by Airtel as its partner for the ownership and management of its existing infrastructure. This is a ground-breaking move for HTA, and Airtel's decision is a significant endorsement of HTA's reputation, management team and operating track record.
Christian De Faria, Executive Chairman, Bharti Airtel International Netherlands BV (BAIN)
The agreement is in line with our stated philosophy of divesting passive infrastructure and promoting sharing of towers to enhance operational efficiencies that will further the growth of telecom services.
