The telecommunications group CETIN, part of PPF's investment portfolio, has expanded its activities with two new companies. Through its subsidiary Nová optika, it has established Fiber Alpha and Fiber Beta, aiming to accelerate the construction of modern optical networks in the Czech Republic. Unlike previous pure acquisitions, CETIN has chosen a strategic partnership model with local entrepreneurs in this case.
CETIN holds a majority stake in the newly formed companies, while the rest belongs to partners operating outside the PPF group structure. This step indicates a change in infrastructure building strategy, where the group seeks to connect its financial and technological background with local knowledge and operational flexibility of regional builders. The new entities, Fiber Alpha and Fiber Beta, will not serve direct end-customer service but will focus primarily on the construction and technical part of network development.
In recent years, the PPF group has invested significant funds to strengthen its telecommunications segment. It paid approximately 10 billion crowns for the acquisitions of operators Nej.cz and Nordic Telecom Regional. A standard integration model was applied to these transactions, where the purchased companies were divided into an infrastructure part (under CETIN) and a customer part (integrated under the O2 operator).
The new joint ventures deviate from this scheme. According to analysts, the reason may be an effort to more effectively overcome administrative and technical obstacles in laying optical cables in the regions. Cooperation with local partners who have experience with the local environment is expected to significantly speed up the digitalization process, on which the PPF group bases its long-term strategy in the field of fixed internet connection.
PPF's acquisition appetite in the internet provider market thus continues in two lines: while large market consolidations take place through direct purchases, the construction of infrastructure itself is now beginning to rely on a joint venture model with external entities.