VEON buys Uzbekistan's Perfectum for $207M to expand Beeline's spectrum
What's the deal? VEONDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → has agreed to acquire 100% of Rubicon Wireless, the Uzbek mobile operator trading as Perfectum, for about $207 million. The figure includes roughly $93 million of assumed debt, with the cash portion funded from VEON's existing resources.
Why now? VEON calls Uzbekistan — a market of nearly 40 million people — one of its core growth markets. The deal deepens its investment in a country where demand for mobile, broadband, and digital services is rising fast.
What's the endgame? Perfectum brings 115MHz of spectrum across the 850MHz and 3,800MHz bands, plus a 5G standalone network built on Nokia equipment. VEON expects the assets to lift its Beeline UzbekistanDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → unit's spectrum holdings by roughly 50%, strengthening its 4G network and plans for 5G and fixed wireless access.
What they're saying: "Uzbekistan is one of VEON's core growth markets, and this acquisition reflects our confidence in its digital future," said group chief executive officer Kaan Terzioglu.
Beeline Uzbekistan chief executive officer Yevgeniy Nastradin said Perfectum's spectrum "will support our plans to strengthen coverage and capacity, introduce 5G services and expand wireless broadband for homes and businesses."
VEON, a digital operator listed on NASDAQ, serves more than 150 million connectivity users across five countries. It expects the deal to generate capital and operating synergies through integration with Beeline's network.
The signal: The purchase lands amid a broader reshaping of Uzbekistan's telecom market. The country recently selected a US-led consortium to buy state operator MobiuzDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → for $351 million, alongside planned network investment of up to $500 million. Perfectum is less an isolated takeover than part of a wave of ownership change in a fast-growing market — with regulatory approvals secured and completion expected by the end of October.
Read more: benzinga.com
Image credit: mikecogh
