29 October 2018

The deal includes the purchase of networks in high profile locations such as London's Canary Wharf.

Wireless Infrastructure Group (WIG) has agreed to purchase Arqiva’s entire portfolio of indoor networks.

The value of the transaction and financial terms have not been disclosed.

Arqiva’s will now continue to focus on its core business of providing shared outdoor infrastructure and connectivity solutions to mobile network operators (MNOs).

This includes tower and rooftop infrastructure across the UK, as well as outdoor small cells in urban environments.

As a result, the company believes its indoor networks activities will be better developed by “another party”.    

Edinburgh-based WIG is a key investor in the deployment and management of indoor neutral-host mobile infrastructure. 

The 42 networks it will purchase from cover busy locations across the UK, such as Canary Wharf, Luton Airport, the Excel Centre as well as several shopping centres that include Bluewater, Arndale and Meadowhall.  

WIG says this latest acquisition is part of its strategy to help building owners and MNOs improve mobile connectivity across workplaces, hotels, hospitals, retail destinations and transport hubs.

According to the company, the majority of mobile calls are made indoors, and enabling coverage often requires the deployment of dedicated indoor infrastructure. 

The company adds that as a neutral-host operator, it invests in high capacity networks that can be used by all mobile operators. 

It has deployed infrastructure in some of the country’s highest profile venues, such as the Leadenhall Building, MediaCity, the Savoy Hotel, intu Trafford Centre and Liverpool FC’s Anfield Stadium. 

This latest deal increases the size of WIG's indoor networks business by around one-third.

It follows a recent fund raising which was completed last month and gives the company £220 million to boost new infrastructure investment

WIG CEO Scott Coates says: "Improving indoor mobile connectivity can increase productivity in offices, dwell time in retail, and is now considered essential by hotel guests and event organisers.

“Dedicated indoor mobile infrastructure is often the only way to enable high quality indoor signals, and building owners are increasingly stepping forward to help address this challenge.”