A division of Japanese group Sumitomo Mitsui is thought to be the front-runner in the race to acquire a 50% stake in the fibre networks business of Orange Poland. Puls Biznesu writes that SMBC Leasing is the favourite to take a stake in FiberCo, which was set up to control Orange’s fibre infrastructure. Among the other interested bidders is the Marguerite infrastructure fund. A decision is expected ‘soon’, according to the report.
Orange is hoping to raise funds to enable FiberCo to build out fibre networks to a further 1.7 million households across Poland, concentrating on underserved areas. The networks will be open access, available to Orange and other service providers on an equal basis.