• EQT Infrastructure to merge IP-Only and GlobalConnect to create a leading Northern European fiber-based datacom provider and supplier of cloud enabling infrastructure 
• The merger strengthens the combined company’s product and service offering in driving digital transformation for both B2B and B2C customers and provides a solid platform for accelerated investments in new technologies and continued fiber rollout
  
  
• EQT Infrastructure is committed to actively supporting the combined company for further growth and expansion in key markets 

EQT today announces the intention to combine EQT Infrastructure III and IV (“EQT Infrastructure”) portfolio companies GlobalConnect and IP-Only. The combined entity will be better positioned to serve the growing demand of national and international customers, and the scale of the combined organization will allow strengthened innovation and investment to bring new technologies and solutions faster to the market. 

IP-Only owns and operates approximately 16,000 km fiber-based network infrastructure that, together with leased lines, covers 230 out of 290 Swedish municipalities. The company today connects more than 200,000 homes and serves more than 3,000 business customers. 

GlobalConnect is the leading alternative fiber-based data communication and data center services provider in Norway, Denmark and Northern Germany. In total, the company owns and operates approximately 42,000 km of fiber-based network and 18,000 sqm of data center space, used to offer a full range of communication infrastructure services including bandwidth connectivity, colocation and cloud infrastructure to a range of businesses. GlobalConnect has around 24,000 business customers and serves around 83,000 private customers in Norway through its Homenet brand.

The intended merger between IP-Only and GlobalConnect will accelerate the two companies' growth agendas. The combination will create a leading digital infrastructure provider to businesses, public institutions and consumers with comprehensive national and cross-border fiber networks and a unique position in Northern Europe.

In 2018 the two companies had combined revenues of approximately EUR 520 million and employ more than 1,500 people across the Nordics and Northern Germany.

Martin Lippert, CEO of GlobalConnect, will lead the joint organization. Lippert comments: “The vision of merging IP-Only and GlobalConnect is to create a leading provider of digital infrastructure for businesses, public institutions and fiber networks to consumers in the Nordics and Northern Germany, and we will have both the scale and competencies to deliver on that vision. Together, we can rapidly and more vigorously expand our infrastructure and offer the newest products and services to our customers.” 

Daniel Perez, Partner at EQT Partners and Investment Advisor to EQT Infrastructure, comments: “We are deeply impressed with the development of GlobalConnect since the creation of the Danish-Norwegian group in 2018 and consider a merger between GlobalConnect and IP-Only to be a natural next step in our strategy to build the leading Northern European provider of integrated digital infrastructure.” 

Masoud Homayoun, Partner at EQT Partners and Investment Advisor to EQT Infrastructure, concludes: “Based on similar strategic development trajectories and ambitions, we believe that a merger between IP-Only and GlobalConnect will create a combined organization and fiber networks with a compelling position in the region, and EQT will continue to support proactive investments to the benefit of customers and partners.” 

The merger is expected to be implemented and a new organizational structure will be designed in the coming months. The two companies will continue to operate as separate entities with separate names and brands until further notice. 

Contacts
Masoud Homayoun, Partner at EQT Partners and Investment Advisor to EQT Infrastructure, +46 8 506 553 48Daniel Perez, Partner at EQT Partners and Investment Advisor to EQT Infrastructure, +46 8 506 553 90
EQT Press office, +46 8 506 55 334, press@eqtpartners.com 

About EQT
EQT is a differentiated global investment organization with more than EUR 62 billion in raised capital and around EUR 41 billion in assets under management across 20 active funds. EQT funds have portfolio companies in Europe, Asia and the US with total sales of more than EUR 21 billion and approximately 127,000 employees. EQT works with portfolio companies to achieve sustainable growth, operational excellence and market leadership.

More info: www.eqtgroup.com
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About IP-Only
IP-Only is a fast-growing independent provider of high capacity fiber-based data communication to consumers and enterprises in Sweden. IP-Only owns and operates high-capacity fiber network infrastructure. Founded in 1999, IP-Only today owns and operates ~16,000 km fiber-based network infrastructure that, together with leased lines, covers 230 out of 290 Swedish municipalities. The Company connects more than 200,000 homes and serves more than 3,000 companies. 

IP-Only has more than 600 employees, revenues of SEK 2.0 billion in 2018 and headquarter in Stockholm and Uppsala in Sweden. 

More info: www.ip-only.se 

About GlobalConnect
GlobalConnect is the leading alternative fiber-based data communication and data center services provider in Norway, Denmark and Northern Germany. In total, the company operates approximately 42,000 km of fiber and 18,000 sqm of data center space, used to offer a full range of communication infrastructure services including bandwidth connectivity, colocation and cloud infrastructure to a range of businesses. GlobalConnect har has 24,000 B2B customers and also serves 83,000 private customers in Norway through its Homenet brand.

GlobalConnect has more than 900 employees, revenues of DKK 2.5 billion in 2018 and headquarter in Taastrup, Denmark and Fornebu, Norway. 

More info: www.globalconnect.dk