Zayo Buys Viatel, Gains Data Centers, Network Assets in Europe

Zayo Group has agreed to acquire seven data centers and pan-European network assets of the Dublin, Ireland-based service provider Viatel, subsidiary of the Digiweb Group, for €95 million. Only Viatel’s assets outside of Ireland are part of the deal.

The acquisition will add about 5,200 miles of fiber across eight countries, including 12 metro networks and connectivity to 80 buildings to Zayo’s portfolio. It also gains submarine cable systems between London and Amsterdam and between London and Paris.

Zayo International president, Karl Maier, called the deal “transformative” in a statement, positioning the company for as one of the leaders in providing pan-European infrastructure services.

“Viatel’s long-haul fiber network and colo assets combined with Zayo’s existing national UK, France, and US networks provides truly international, seamless connectivity for Zayo’s existing and new customers,” Dan Caruso, chairman and CEO of Zayo, said in a statement. “Our Pan-European infrastructure capability addresses new growth opportunities, including connectivity to key subsea cable systems delivering traffic to and from high-growth regions such as Asia and Africa.”

Boulder, Colorado-based Zayo has grown primarily via acquisition. Besides its massive network assets, through its subsidiary zColo, the company provides data center colocation services in 45 facilities across 30 markets, totaling more than 500,000 square feet.

Last year, Viatel announced a plan to invest €125 million in expansion of both data centers and fiber infrastructure in its portfolio.

Viatel’s data centers in Europe are located in:

Again, its Irish assets are not part of the acquisition.