APG Group has signed an agreement to strengthen the existing partnership with SiFi Networks America Limited by acquiring a 16.7% direct stake in the Company and establishing a joint venture to rollout open-access fibre-to-the-home networks in the US.
This partnership, including APG’s $500m equity commitment to the Fiber JV, will contribute to bridging the digital divide in the US where over one-third of households do not have access to high-speed internet by offering fibre connections to those underserved communities. Whitehelm Capital will provide asset management services for the joint venture during the roll-out period.
SiFi is one of the first companies to successfully deploy FTTH networks in the US under an open-access business model. The Company is constructing FTTH networks in multiple cities and has signed development agreements with many more.
With the increased balance sheet capacity of the Company, it is expected to deploy billions of dollars of capex over coming years into open-access FTTH networks. SiFi’s networks enable future-proof connectivity and provide smart city solutions aimed at improving the quality of life and generating revenues and savings for cities.
Over the past year with so many people working from home, it has become apparent how important it is to have a strong, reliable, and fast residential internet connection. The joint venture targets areas within the US that have not been high priority for the large telecom providers to build fibre connections.
By rolling out these connections, Fiber JV accelerates the digitalisation of the US. Additionally, the open-access business model allows SiFi to provide consumers with optionality regarding service providers.
The Transaction represents a continuation of the partnerships formed from APG’s participation as the cornerstone investor in the Smart City Infrastructure Fund in November 2018. Whitehelm manages SCIF, and the inaugural investment in April 2019 was a partnership with SiFi to deploy fibre in Fullerton, California. The Fullerton network construction is well progressed and live customer connections have commenced.
APG is one of the most active global infrastructure investors and has a growing global presence across the telecommunications sector. Patrick Kanters, Managing Director of Global Real Assets, commented: “APG is excited to announce an additional investment with SiFi that will position the Company to provide vital infrastructure to underserved markets and customers well into the future.
“This partnership also contributes to APG’s ambition to support digitalisation and the energy transition, as fibre is more energy efficient than copper or cable. Importantly, this investment is expected to deliver an attractive and sustainable return for our pension fund clients and their participants. APG looks forward to our continued partnership with both SiFi and Whitehelm Capital.”
Ben Bawtree-Jobson, CEO at SiFi Networks, commented: “We couldn’t have asked for a better partner in APG, who has the financial resources and desire to create real social impact to enable our market leading open-access networks to roll out across the USA. Cities, Consumers and ISPs can all benefit from our citywide fibre optic networks. From enabling Smart City applications, driving economic development and closing the digital divide the advantages of becoming a FiberCity are staggering and we’ve only just scratched the surface of what is possible.”
Matteo Andreoletti, Head of Infrastructure Europe and North America for Whitehelm Capital, commented: “Whitehelm is pleased to deepen its partnership with APG and SiFi through this transaction. APG’s investment will help accelerate the deployment of full fibre networks future-proofed with Smart City connectivity across the US. All over the world, cities are rapidly turning into smart cities. SiFi’s citywide, open-access business model plays a vital role to develop and reinforce the next generation of urban infrastructure for the benefit of the people, the economy and the environment.”
