Sonera to acquire AinaCom's consumer and fixed network business

Sonera, the Finnish arm of operator group TeliaSonera, has agreed to acquire the consumer operations and fixed network business of Finnish communications provider AinaCom for €47m.

Sonera said that the acquisition of AinaCom’s consumer operations, which includes around 15,900 fixed broadband subscriptions, 9,000 fixed voice subscriptions, 29,000 cable TV subscriptions and 10,000 mobile subscriptions, strengthens its position in the Finnish market. The €47m figure it has bid is on a cash and debt-free basis.

Sonera added that AinaCom’s fixed networks and related assets is a valuable business and the approximate net sales of the purchased operations were €16m for 2013, with an EBITDA of approximately €6m. The Finnish operator added that the acquisition is expected to generate savings and includes the transfer of employment for 43 people from AinaCom to Sonera.

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“With the agreement, Sonera strengthens its position in the Hämeenlinna region while also deepening its cooperation with AinaCom’s remaining B2B business,” said Valdur Laid, who has been appointed head of TeliaSonera Finland from April 1st, 2014.

“Following the transaction, AinaCom’s consumer customers will be able to choose their services from the wide selection of Sonera’s fixed, broadband, TV and mobile offerings.”

The trend towards further fixed line and  mobile convergence has gained steam in Europe over the past few months. In November last year, German incumbent Deutsche Telekom announced plans to acquire fixed line player GTS Central Europe for €456m.

In October, Norwegian group Telenor moved  to consolidate its position in the Swedish broadband and television services sector with the acquisition of Tele2 Sweden’s fiber and cable business for SEK775m ($121.4m).  And in July last year, the Croatian subsidiary of operator group Telekom Austria, Vipnet, acquired three regional cable network providers.