DIF Capital Partners is acquiring a stake in French fibre optic operator IELO.
DIF, via its Core Infrastructure Fund II fund, and IELO founders plan to invest €90m over the next few years to triple the size of IELO’s network by deploying more than 4,500km of fibre in 95 French cities and economic zones.
IELO’s network comprises nearly 2,000km of fibre, covering 30 metropolitan areas and connects more than 1,000 companies.
Arthur Fernandez IELO co-founder and CEO said: “IELO is now at a turning point in its development and the long-term support provided by DIF represents a tremendous accelerator to achieve our ambitions of scaling up the strategy we have been successfully implementing in recent years.
“We intend to consolidate our position as a key independent wholesale operator in the fibre optics business with the aim of expanding our French client base to further gain market share.”
Thomas Vieillescazes, partner and head of DIF France said: “DIF has been investing heavily in the telecommunications sector in Europe and North America for several years, particularly in projects related to data centres and fibre optics.
“This investment is therefore in line with our strategy of investing in the high-potential digital infrastructure market, especially in the growing B2B business.”
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