Background

Meridiam has closed the Project Agreement for the development of a fibre network of up to 58,264 homes in the region of Liezen, Austria. The region of Liezen comprises 29 local communities with a total population of c. 80.000. To secure the Project Meridiam leveraged existing fibre project in Montabaur, Germany and has an ambitious strategy to invest in projects that help tackle the digital divide.

Meridiam will take a 90% shareholding in the Project Company (RML Infrastruktur GmbH), that has already been founded by the public regional management company (RML), to build and operate the Fibre to the Home/Building (FTTH/B) network. RML will retain a 10% shareholding.

Meridiam has partnered with Magenta, Salzburg AG, and Energie Steiermark as active network operators and anchor tenant Internet Service Providers. Magenta (part of Deutsche Telekom) is the second largest internet services provider in Austria. Energie Steiermark is the regional energy provider and already has 11 Internet Service Providers on its operating platform. Salzburg AG is a regional telecom operator.

Stage: Financial Close

ESG/SDG Key Facts

Austria is lagging behind much of Europe in fibre coverage – according to EU DESI report in 2020 Austria is ranked N° 26 in the EU. The 29 communities of Liezen have already shown strong support for the Project.

SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)

The project will make Liezen more attractive for new business, will accommodate increasing home office trends and reduce the need to make long commutes to the cities of Linz and Graz.

SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure)

Meridiam has focused on a regional strategy. The Project will support local industries and communities by offering faster and higher quality internet using the latest technology. The network will also be connected to public facilities necessary for social cohesion, including schools and hospitals.