Wireless Infrastructure Group (WIG) today announces that Brookfield Infrastructure and its institutional partners (Brookfield) have become its sole financial sponsor following Brookfield’s acquisition of the entire stake of 3i Infrastructure plc (3i). The transaction creates a platform to explore more strategic infrastructure combinations with mobile operators together with an opportunity to accelerate WIG’s efforts to transform indoor connectivity for real estate owners.
Scott Coates, CEO of Wireless Infrastructure Group, said:
“We are delighted to welcome Brookfield as our shareholder and for the opportunity to partner with large-scale patient capital. Brookfield is one of the world’s largest infrastructure investors and its focus on data infrastructure and developing assets that can transform communities, aligns with our ambition to help improve connectivity across the UK.”
“After a successful partnership with 3i, this deal marks an opportunity to shift gears for WIG. With the backing of large-scale capital, WIG is now ideally positioned to explore more strategic infrastructure combinations with mobile operators.”
“WIG’s industry leading indoor networks already serve buildings with over 1.25 billion visitors a year and this transaction brings us alongside one of the world’s largest real estate owners.”
Sam Pollock, CEO of Brookfield Infrastructure, said:
“We are very pleased to be partnering with the management team at WIG to support their continued growth. We have been impressed by the Company’s accomplishments to date and look forward to supporting WIG’s continued expansion, both in products and geographies. WIG is our first investment in UK data infrastructure and underpins our commitment to both the sector and country.”
Notes to Editors
About WIG
WIG is an independent wireless infrastructure operator and one of the UK’s larger digital infrastructure challengers. The company builds and operates long-term, sustainable infrastructure including communication towers (masts) in rural and suburban areas together with networks to improve mobile coverage inside buildings, stadiums and on city streets. The company is fully independent of any network operator and invests in high capacity neutral-host infrastructure that is made available to all mobile and wireless networks to use on a shared basis.
WIG is a pioneer at enabling connectivity in challenging environments including in rural communities, in buildings and along transport routes. Recent projects include the deployment of neutral host infrastructure in offices and other venues such as Anfield Stadium, Lord’s Cricket Ground, the King’s Cross development as well as the construction of new high capacity communication towers in rural parts of the UK.
Following its launch over ten years ago, WIG has invested in over 2,000 communications assets across the UK and has also established operations in the Netherlands and Ireland. The Company is headquartered in Edinburgh with key offices in Solihull, Bellshill and London.
About Brookfield Infrastructure
Brookfield Infrastructure is a leading global infrastructure company that owns and operates high-quality, long-life assets in the utilities, transport, energy and data infrastructure sectors across North and South America, Asia Pacific and Europe.
Brookfield Infrastructure is affiliated with Brookfield Asset Management, a leading global alternative asset manager with over $500 billion of assets under management. More information is available at www.brookfield.com
