Cellnex Just Offloaded Its French Data Centers for €391 Million – Here’s Why This Move Changes Everything
Cellnex has wrapped up the sale of its French data center operations to Vauban Infra Fibre for €391 million. The deal marks a strategic shift for the telecommunications giant as it narrows its focus on core infrastructure assets. This transaction could reshape how telecom companies prioritize their investments across Europe.
The sale demonstrates Cellnex’s commitment to streamlining operations and concentrating resources where they matter most. Investors and industry watchers have been anticipating this move since October 2025, when Cellnex first announced the agreement. Now, with all regulatory hurdles cleared, the company can redirect capital toward telecom infrastructure expansion.
What Happened in the Cellnex France Data Center Sale
Cellnex finalized the divestment of Towerlink France, transferring 99.9% of its French data center business to Vauban Infra Fibre. The telecommunications infrastructure manager completed this transaction through its subsidiary Cellnex France. French authorities approved the foreign direct investment after thorough review. The company settled the €391 million deal entirely in cash, as planned from the initial announcement.
The completion followed approval from French regulatory bodies and employee consultations. Cellnex reported the transaction to the Spanish National Securities Market Commission (CNMV), confirming all standard conditions had been met. This included the mandatory information and consultation process with employee representatives in France. The sale removed data center operations from Cellnex’s French portfolio while maintaining its telecommunications tower infrastructure in the country.
VIF, backed by Vauban Infrastructure Partners, Crédit Agricole Assurances entities, and GIC subsidiary Raffles, acquired the assets. The buyer operates multiple data center sites across France, with many facilities already running at full capacity. According to Ara.cat, Cellnex first signed the put option agreement with Vauban Infra Fibre in October 2025, setting the stage for this closure.
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Why Cellnex Chose to Sell Its Data Centers
Cellnex executed this divestment as part of a broader strategy to concentrate on core telecommunications infrastructure. The company manages over 110,000 sites across 10 European countries, with major operations in Spain, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Poland. By selling non-core assets like data centers, Cellnex frees up capital to invest in tower infrastructure and telecom services.
The move aligns with market trends where telecom companies separate data center operations from traditional infrastructure. Data centers require different expertise and capital allocation compared to tower infrastructure. Cellnex can now dedicate resources to expanding its primary business of providing shared telecommunications infrastructure to operators.
CEO Marco Patuano stated the company remains committed to operational excellence and disciplined capital allocation. The sale allows Cellnex to deliver sustainable growth and long-term value for shareholders by focusing on areas where it holds competitive advantages. This strategic realignment positions the company to capitalize on increasing demand for telecommunications infrastructure across Europe.
What This Means for the Telecommunications Industry
The Cellnex France data center sale signals a broader industry trend toward specialization. Major telecommunications infrastructure companies increasingly separate their data center assets from tower operations. This allows each business segment to pursue focused growth strategies with dedicated management and capital.
Vauban Infra Fibre gains significant market presence through this acquisition. Steve Ledoux, CEO of VIF, noted the investment aligns with their strategy to expand in the French data center market. The company plans to implement synergies with other French data centers in its portfolio, potentially creating a stronger competitive position in the region.
For Cellnex, this transaction demonstrates confidence in its core tower infrastructure business. The company can now channel the €391 million proceeds into expanding telecommunications networks and serving mobile operators. This focus may accelerate 5G rollout and network densification projects across its European markets.
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Key Questions About the Cellnex Data Center Transaction
What did Cellnex sell to Vauban Infra Fibre?
Cellnex sold 99.9% of Towerlink France, the entity managing its main data center operations in France, to Vauban Infra Fibre for €391 million cash. The transaction closed after receiving French regulatory approvals and completing employee consultations.
Why did Cellnex decide to exit the data center business in France?
The divestment supports Cellnex’s strategic focus on core telecommunications infrastructure. By selling data center assets, the company concentrates resources on tower infrastructure and telecom services, where it operates over 110,000 sites across 10 European countries.
Who is Vauban Infra Fibre and what are their plans?
Vauban Infra Fibre is a French company backed by funds from Vauban Infrastructure Partners, Crédit Agricole Assurances entities, and GIC subsidiary Raffles. VIF operates multiple data center sites in France and plans to implement synergies with the acquired Towerlink assets.
How does this sale affect Cellnex’s European operations?
The sale removes French data center operations from Cellnex’s portfolio while maintaining its telecommunications tower infrastructure across Europe. The company can now redirect capital toward expanding its core business of providing shared telecommunications infrastructure to operators.
