Ardian to acquire Míla, Iceland’s largest telecoms infrastructure company

Reykjavik, Frankfurt, Paris, 25th October 2021 - Ardian, a world-leading private investment house, announces the acquisition of a 100% stake in Míla ehf. (“Míla”), the largest integrated telecommunications network in Iceland, from Síminn Group (“Síminn”), Iceland’s leading telecommunications operator. Míla represents Ardian Infrastructure’s sixth investment in the Nordic region, its first in Iceland, and its fourth investment in the telecommunications sector, and complements Ardian’s global portfolio in terms of geographic and sector diversification.

Míla is Iceland’s largest telecommunications infrastructure company and owns a comprehensive network comprised of fixed broadband, mobile access and backhaul covering the entire country. This transaction is of unique significance in the telecommunications sector, given the current national owner is selling the entire collection of digital infrastructure, including both active and passive equipment. Ardian will support Míla’s efforts to enhance the country’s connectivity through substantial investments that will enable the roll out of additional fibre and 5G technology.

Gonzague Boutry, Managing Director in the Ardian Infrastructure team, commented: "We are very proud to have secured this unique investment, which is a perfect example of Ardian’s vision and leadership in telecommunications infrastructure. We believe that this acquisition, which comprises an entire integrated network, including passive and active equipment, will pave the way for similar transactions within the telecommunications industry."

Síminn will remain Míla’s long-term anchor tenant to ensure its clients continue to receive best-in-class services. Post separation, Míla will become the leading platform for wholesale services in Iceland.

Orri Hauksson, CEO of Síminn said: "We are delighted to have signed this transaction with Ardian as a buyer of Mila, but more importantly, as a long-term infrastructure partner. Síminn will continue to be a strategic customer, and Míla will now become fully independent with an opportunity to flourish on its own."

"To be recognised by a world-leading private investment house is evidence of the strength of our business," said Jón Ríkharð Kristjánsson, CEO of Mila. "At the same time this is an exciting turning point for Míla.  With Ardian Infrastructure‘s support, Mila as an independent infrastructure provider with holistic service offerings can help to enhance the competitiveness of Iceland‘s telecommunications market. Ardian‘s financial support, experience and knowledge will enable us to develop our network even further and fulfill our mission to connect Iceland to the future.

"Alongside Ardian, several Icelandic pension funds will have the opportunity to invest in Míla." Dr. Daniel von der Schulenburg, Managing Director and Head of Ardian Infrastructure for Germany, Benelux and Northern Europe , said: “We are excited to expand into Iceland accompanied by our local partners. The Nordic countries are a core region for the Ardian Infrastructure team, with strong fundamentals and attractive investment opportunities. For us, Míla is a long-term investment and a platform for growth. We intend to invest continuously into Iceland’s coverage and look forward to continuing to deliver top quality service and connectivity solutions. We will work together with Mila‘s management team to build an even more progressive electronic communications company."

This transaction is yet to receive clearance from local competition authorities. Ardian does not own any competing or overlapping businesses with Míla in Iceland or in the Nordic countries.