Wedoany.com Report on Mar 3rd, Finnish telecommunications operator Telia has recently reached an agreement to increase its stake in fiber company Valokuitunen from 40% to 49%. Concurrently, Brookfield, through its entity Brookfield Infrastructure Structured Solutions (BISS), has agreed to acquire the remaining 51% stake in Valokuitunen. This transaction is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2026, with Telia paying a cash consideration of approximately €30 million.
Valokuitunen: Covering 400,000 Households in Four Years, a Key Player in Finland's FTTH Market
Established in 2020, Valokuitunen is a joint venture created by Telia and CapMan Infra, holding a significant position in Finland's Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) sector. Its network operates on an open-access model, covering over 400,000 households across more than 100 municipalities and supporting multiple service providers, including Telia. The increased stake reflects Telia's strategic direction of focusing on delivering integrated, high-quality services to customers in Finland and the Nordic and Baltic regions, while making long-term infrastructure investments based on partnerships and financial strength. Telia will continue to use Valokuitunen's network as an operator and service provider.
Continuing Partnership: From Tower Assets to Fiber, Telia and Brookfield Join Forces Again
Since 2021, Telia and Brookfield have maintained a strategic partnership through Telia Towers AB, an entity holding Telia's tower assets in Sweden, Finland, and Norway, with Telia holding a 51% stake and Brookfield and Alecta collectively holding 49%. This joint investment in Valokuitunen further deepens their partnership in the digital infrastructure domain.
Executive Statements: Commitment to Long-term Investment in Finland's Digital Infrastructure
Patrik Hofbauer, President and CEO of Telia, stated: "Valokuitunen started by initially serving 20,000 households and has, within just a few years, built a nationwide fiber network and gained a strong market position. Increasing our stake aligns with our strategy of investing in our core business and demonstrates our long-term commitment to enhancing Finland's digital infrastructure. We look forward to working with our familiar partner Brookfield and the Valokuitunen management team to achieve ambitious goals together."
Ian Simes, Managing Partner and Co-Head of Brookfield Infrastructure Structured Solutions, noted: "We are pleased to extend our successful partnership with Telia through the investment in Valokuitunen, strengthening our collaboration in the Nordic digital infrastructure sector. Valokuitunen has established a solid position in the Finnish fiber market with its high-quality network, open-access model, and experienced team, and we look forward to supporting its long-term development."
