Helios Towers (HT) was founded in 2009 and concluded its first tower sales and lease back deal (S&LB) deal with Millicom in Ghana. Subsequently, HT has undertaken similar deals in Congo Brazzaville, DRC, and Tanzania. In 2018, Helios Towers entered the South African market.

‍Strategy

‍HT’s principal business lies in building, acquiring and operating telecommunications towers that are capable of accommodating and powering the needs of multiple tenants. These tenants are typically large MNOs and other telecommunications providers who in turn provide wireless voice and data services, primarily to end-consumers and businesses.HT uses the sales and lease back method of buying towers from mobile network operators.

‍KPIs

‍By end 2018:

• HT had acquired 82% and had built 18% of its total tower stock (total towers 6 745) since commencing operations in Africa. 
• In 2018, there were 13 549 tenants that yielded an average tenancy across its towers of 2.01x.
• In 2018, HT earned an average of USD4 435 per month per tower, or USD2 208 per tenant per tower per month.

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South Africa‍

In 2018 HT entered into a partnership with Vulatel (Pty) Ltd and formed Helios Towers SA (HTSA) with HT owning 66% and Vulatal 34%. Vulatel has been in operation since 2017. The company acquired Dimension Data’s fibre and wireless division (formerly Plessey South Africa). Subsequently, Vulatel acquired Gio Construction, a provider of network deployment and maintenance services.

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Contact Andre Wills by e-mail to discuss the profile or answer any queries you may have.