Spanish telecommunications provider MasMovil Ibercom said it will acquire certain fibre-optic network assets from Jazztel, which also agreed to allow its rival preferential access to its xDSL network for four years, renewable once. The deal aims to meet the conditions set by the EU for Orange's takeover of Jazztel and clears the way for MasMovil to become Spain's fourth national integrated operator.
The purchase of 13 of Jazztel's broadband exchanges will allow MasMovil to offer fibre services to 720,000 households in Spain's largest cities. The network deal gives it access to a total 18.6 million households and 78 percent national coverage.
No financial details were disclosed, and MasMovil said it will give further information on the agreement following formal approval by the European Commission, expected in late September.
MasMovil already has its own LTE network covering 191 municipalites in 26 Spanish provinces, including all major cities, as well as a MVNO agreement with Orange which it last week extended until the end of 2020. It also recently secured 4G access to Orange's network, thanks to an order from the regulator.
MasMovil was left as the only bidder for the divested assets after Yoigo last month announced it was withdrawing from the auction.
