Datagrup

The Ukrainian operator Datagrup operates in the telecommunications services market in the corporate segment.

Performance indicators

Datagrup's revenue in 2009 increased by 8.6%, to $48.6 million, EBITDA increased by 33.5%, to $20.3 million, EBITDA margin - from 34% to 41.8%.

At the end of the first half of 2009, the company, according to its own data, was leading in the market of Internet traffic and corporate connections with a share of 35%. According to iKS-Consulting analysts, according to the results of the 4th quarter of 2009, Datagrup ranked 10th in the list of the top 10 Ukrainian broadband access providers with a subscriber base of 23 thousand users. According to its own data, the company is the fourth fixed-line operator in Ukraine in terms of revenue.

History

2024: Lifecell and Datagrup-Volya merge into one company. EBRD will give it $435 million

In mid-June 2024, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the International Financial Corporation (IFC) announced their intention to provide $435 million to a new telecommunications operator in Ukraine, which is formed by the French fund NJJ Capital. The new structure will be formed by the merger of the cellular operator Lifecell and the fixed-line operator Datagrup-Volya.

The project, as noted in the Datagrup-Volya statement, is aimed at supporting the convergence of fixed and mobile communications (FMC), increasing investment in the combined network, as well as buying licenses and equipment necessary to expand the communication infrastructure in Ukraine. It is emphasized that financing the project by international structures will accelerate the future growth of the country, increase its stability in a difficult geopolitical situation and will help overcome digital inequality.

𝓲

Unsplash

According to the EBRD, an 85% stake in the structure being created will belong to the investment holding company NJJ Capital, owned by Xavier Niel. Another 10% will be received by Horizon Capital, a private equity fund specializing in projects in developing countries in Europe. The remaining 5% will be received by Mikhail Shelemba, who is the general director and minority shareholder of Datagrup-Volya.

I thank the EBRD and IFC for supporting Ukraine and Ukrainian business during this difficult period. And once again, thank you for your faith in Ukrainians and the potential of our development, "Shelemba said.

It is expected that the new combined structure of Lifecell and Datagrup-Volya will be able to provide mobile services for almost 10 million subscribers, as well as develop various services based on a fixed network, which covers almost 4 million households throughout Ukraine.^[1]

2021: Purchase of telecom provider Frinet for $19 million

In December 2021, it became known about the purchase of the Ukrainian Internet provider Frinet by the rival company Datagrup. The participants in the transaction submitted documents for its approval to the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine (AMCU). Read more here.

2020: Buying telecom provider Volia

At the end of December 2020, a deal was concluded to sell 100% of Volia to Datagrup, a fixed-line operator. Although the financial component of the agreement has not been disclosed, it can be assumed that we are talking about a considerable amount, given the large scale of the business of both Ukrainian telecom operators. Read more here.\

2010

In August 2010, it became known that Datagrup agreed to attract investments in the amount of $50 million from the management company Horizon Capital. The deal between Datagrup and Horizon Capital was announced by the British agency Mergermarket, which specializes in mergers and acquisitions research. Management of the operator declined to comment on this information, a spokesman for Horizon Capital confirmed to CNews that the transaction was completed, but also declined to comment.

Earlier, Datagrup announced that they were ready to sell Eurobonds worth $50 million to the investor. Later, the securities can be converted into shares of the company during the IPO, which Datagrup plans in two to three years on one of the European exchanges or on the Singapore Stock Exchange. It was assumed that the operator would spend the funds received from the sale of Eurobonds on the purchase of two competitors in the broadband access market.

A CNews source familiar with the negotiations said that as a result of the agreement, Datagrup received $50 million, which will be spent on the development and purchase of regional fixed-line operators. It is assumed that in the future the investor will become a member of the company's shareholders, becoming the owner of a non-blocking package (up to 25%).

Notes