WIREDGOV

Lower population density areas in Poland will gain a better internet connection and access thanks to the deployment of very high capacity network broadband services under a project financed by the European Investment Bank (EIB).

• The EIB will lend up to PLN 325 million (€73 million) for a project to develop fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) infrastructure in five Polish regions  
• Around 530 000 households and 1 400 schools will be connected thanks to the EIB loan
• The project is guaranteed under the European Fund for Strategic Investments  

The EU bank has agreed to lend up to PLN 325 million (approximately €73 million) to Nexera to finance the rollout of a fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) access network in less densely populated areas of five Polish regions, or voivodeships (Warminsko-Mazurskie, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Mazowieckie, Lodzkie and Swietokrzyskie). These regions are located in central and north-eastern Poland.

The project is backed by a guarantee from the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), the financial pillar of the Investment Plan for Europe. Nexera will also benefit from national and EU public subsidies, awarded to it following the Digital Poland contest, or Program Operacyjny Polska Cyfrowa (POPC), for the provision of co-financing for the design, construction and operation of FTTH networks in Poland. The subsidies will be used to partially fund the required investments.

Nexera is a vehicle majority owned by the infrastructure fund Infracapital. The EIB loan is part of a wider financing effort totalling PLN 1.010 billion (approximately €227 million), with the participation of other senior lenders (BGK, ING, PKO BP and Santander).

In terms of the final scope, Nexera plans to deploy a FTTH network that will pass more than 700 000 addresses including households, businesses and schools in the five regions by 2025, including in relation to the POPC. In this context, it is estimated that the EIB loan will help Nexera to connect around 530 000 households and 1 400 schools by 2023.

European Commissioner for the Economy Paolo Gentiloni yesterday said: “I welcome this financing agreement between the EIB and Nexera, which is backed by the Investment Plan for Europe. It will help provide a better internet connection to many households, schools and businesses in less populated areas. This is great news for Poland's digital transition and the connectivity of its citizens.”

EIB Vice-President Teresa Czerwińska, who oversees EIB activities in Poland, yesterday said: “This project will contribute to reducing the gap between Poland and the rest of the European Union in terms of regular and ultrafast broadband coverage. The EIB identifies the green and digital twin transitions as key areas of investment in order to ensure a sound recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic. We are pleased in particular to support Nexera in its effort to deploy modern connectivity in less densely populated areas of Poland. Enhancing and democratising digitalisation is also a way to strengthen cohesion in Europe.”

Paweł Hordyński, Nexera CFO, yesterday said: “Nexera is a relatively small regional organisation of slightly over 20 people but the secured debt financing puts us among the largest companies in the country. This is definitely a success story in the Polish market and we emerge as a reliable organisation with enormous potential backed by leading financial institutions.”

“Our success is founded on a robust business plan, realistic and effective corporate strategy and innovative ways of working in our organisation that are part of the agility model that has largely become a benchmark for other operators in the market,” adds Jacek Wiśniewski, Nexera CEO.

Click here for the full press release