European Investment Bank Loans €375 Million to Cellnex to Boost 5G Networks Across Europe

Image: Illustrative image · Roger Templeman  · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Source

The European Investment Bank has provided a €375 million loan to Cellnex Telecom, enabling a total €770 million investment to expand and enhance 5G infrastructure in Spain, France, Italy, and Portugal.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Cellnex Telecom have finalized a significant loan agreement worth €375 million to accelerate the deployment and improvement of 5G mobile networks across several European countries. Announced in Barcelona, this funding aims to support a total investment of €770 million dedicated to expanding and strengthening 5G infrastructure in Spain, France, Italy, and Portugal.

The financial support targets both urban and rural areas, responding to the increasing demand for mobile data connectivity throughout these markets. The project includes the construction of new telecommunications towers and urban sites, alongside the rollout of 5G networks. Additionally, part of the investment will advance the installation of distributed antenna systems (DAS) to boost the capacity of existing sites and upgrade Spain's digital terrestrial television network.

This initiative aligns with the European Union’s strategic goals for digital competitiveness and strategic autonomy. The model employed promotes open access, allowing multiple operators to share passive infrastructure, thereby reducing the total number of towers required without compromising coverage or service quality. Notably, about half of the new towers are planned for cohesion regions, emphasizing efforts to reduce the digital divide.

The loan is part of the EIB’s broader TechEU program, which intends to mobilize €250 billion by 2027 to foster technological and digital innovation across startups, scaleups, and established companies within the European Union. The project reflects priorities outlined in the 2024-2027 strategic roadmap focusing on technological innovation, digitalization, and territorial cohesion.

For Cellnex, this marks the third financial collaboration with the EIB. Raimon Trias, Cellnex’s Chief Financial Officer, noted that the loan’s terms will strengthen the company’s financial structure and extend the average maturity of its debt. This financing underlines Cellnex’s commitment to enhancing Europe's telecommunications infrastructure to support future digital demands and economic growth.