Created under the protection of the State following the break-up of the ORTF, the group with 14,000 pylons and flat roofs decided to sell its shares in the telecoms equipment provider. To this end, the group's current shareholders - Brookfield, APG, PSP, Arcus and Crédit Agricole Assurances - have mandated Morgan Stanley and BNP Paribas banks. If in 2014, TDF had been sold for approximately €370 million, its results having stabilised since then, the transaction would now exceed €3.5 billion.

With 13,900 sites, TDF infrastructure funds are keen on this type of long-term asset. Indeed, such opportunities are rather rare " It is an asset for infrastructure funds, family offices and pension funds. Manufacturers in the sector have few synergies to generate from a possible merger. " says one source.

After difficulties in 2008 following the financial crisis, the group has strengthened its financial structure with debt leverage now below 4 times EBITDA. Especially since the most important deadlines are 2022 and 2026.

At the end of 2018, TDF continued its strategy of refocusing with the sale of Médiamobile and by accelerating in optical fibre. The company was entrusted with the installation of several tens of thousands of sockets by the territories. In addition, several hundred new pylons on transport routes and in rural areas were built last year.

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Source : Les Echos.fr