DigitalBridge Exits Netomnia in £2B UK Fiber Deal

In a significant move within the UK's burgeoning digital infrastructure landscape, DigitalBridge, alongside its co-investors Advencap and Soho Square Capital, has agreed to divest its stake in Netomnia, the parent company of the wholesale full-fibre operator. The transaction, valued at an enterprise value of £2 billion, marks a substantial exit for the consortium and signals continued consolidation in the sector.

Netomnia, established in 2019, has rapidly scaled its operations, now reaching over 3 million premises across the United Kingdom and serving approximately 460,000 customers. DigitalBridge initially backed the company's ambitious expansion plans in 2022, providing crucial capital to accelerate network build-out and enhance operational capabilities. This strategic investment aimed to capitalize on the increasing demand for high-speed broadband connectivity throughout the UK.

The acquisition by nexfibre is poised to inject further investment into the UK's full-fibre infrastructure. This deal underscores the strategic importance of fibre networks as foundational assets for the digital economy. The UK government's push for nationwide gigabit broadband coverage, coupled with evolving consumer and business demands for faster, more reliable internet, continues to drive significant capital deployment in the sector. The total UK fibre market is projected to see substantial growth, with analysts estimating continued double-digit annual expansion over the next five years.

Marc Ganzi, CEO of DigitalBridge, expressed pride in the partnership, stating, “We are proud to have partnered with Netomnia’s management team to help build a scaled full fibre platform serving communities across the UK. Since its founding, the company has expanded its network footprint and established a meaningful presence in the market. We believe this agreement provides a clear path forward for the business.” This sentiment highlights the successful execution of DigitalBridge's value-creation strategy in the digital infrastructure space.

Jeremy Chelot, Group CEO of Netomnia, echoed the positive outlook, noting, “With the support of our shareholders, including DigitalBridge, we have built a scaled, capital-efficient full fibre platform serving more than three million premises across the UK. The partnership with DigitalBridge has been instrumental in helping us expand our network and strengthen our operations. This agreement marks an important milestone for the business and provides a pathway for its continued development.” The company's growth trajectory positions it as a key player in the UK's fibre market.

The transaction is contingent upon the satisfaction of standard regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. This divestment by DigitalBridge and its partners comes at a time when the digital infrastructure sector continues to attract significant investor interest, driven by the ongoing digital transformation across industries and the persistent need for robust connectivity solutions. The £2 billion valuation reflects the substantial progress made by Netomnia and the attractive market dynamics for fibre assets.