INWIT investors explore €6.3bn take-private deal

Major shareholders of INWIT, Italy’s largest mobile telecom tower operator, are exploring a potential take-private deal. The move involves Ardian, which holds a 32% stake, and Oak Holdings 1, which controls 39%. Oak Holdings 1 is backed by a consortium including Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), Vodafone, and KKR.

Investors are currently in discussions with banks to arrange financing for the transaction. Abu Dhabi-based sovereign investor Mubadala is also expected to acquire a stake as part of the proposed arrangement. While discussions are ongoing, no final decision has been reached, and the involved parties have declined to comment.

The potential buyout comes as INWIT faces significant pressure from its two largest customers, Telecom Italia (TIM) and Fastweb. Both operators have initiated procedures to terminate existing tower agreements in an effort to renegotiate contracts on more favorable terms. This dispute has contributed to a decline in INWIT’s market capitalization, which has fallen approximately 27% over the past year to roughly €6.3 billion ($7.1 billion).