- Emitel signs long-term agreement with Orange Polska to build hundreds of new towers.
- Cordiant Digital Infrastructure backs Emitel’s growth with a 27% expansion in its tower portfolio.
What happened: New mobile network expansion for Emitel
Emitel, a Polish telecommunications infrastructure company owned by Cordiant Digital Infrastructure, has secured a new, long-term agreement with Orange Polska S.A. The deal aims to expand mobile network coverage in Poland, one of Europe’s fastest-growing digital economies. Under the terms of the agreement, Emitel will construct hundreds of new mobile towers for Orange Polska, who will act as the anchor tenant for each site.
These new towers will be developed under a built-to-suit model, meaning they will be tailored to meet Orange’s specific requirements. In exchange, Orange will pay a recurring fee for each tower site. Emitel also stands to benefit from additional revenue by leasing out remaining space on the towers to other mobile network operators. The construction costs for the towers are expected to be financed using Emitel’s free cash flow, ensuring the project’s financial sustainability without the need for additional external funding.
Emitel’s operations in Poland are already significant, with 762 communications towers under its management by the end of 2024. This new project with Orange Polska is a key step towards reaching Emitel’s goal of expanding its tower portfolio to over 1,000 sites. The company has already seen significant growth since being acquired by Cordiant in 2022, increasing its tower portfolio by 27% and revenue by 37%.
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Why it’s important
Poland’s rapid economic growth is creating a surge in demand for modern digital infrastructure. As the sixth-largest economy in the European Union, Poland’s economic expansion is driven by strong household consumption, increased government spending, and significant contributions from EU funds. In 2024, Poland outperformed much of Europe with a 2.9% GDP growth, far exceeding the EU’s average of 0.9%. Experts predict this growth will continue in 2025 and beyond, with forecasts indicating that Poland’s income per capita will surpass Japan’s by 2026.
The telecommunications sector, particularly mobile network infrastructure, is an essential part of this growth. As mobile data usage and 5G technology adoption increase, demand for reliable and extensive mobile coverage is critical. Emitel’s expansion of its tower portfolio will play a significant role in meeting this demand. Additionally, the collaboration with Orange Polska ensures that Emitel remains a key player in the telecom infrastructure space, while the agreement’s structure allows Emitel to continue to expand its network while also generating additional revenue.
