Technology

EQT to sell its stake in fiber-to-the-home network Fiberklaar

Published

5 months ago

July 25, 2024

EQT, which co-founded Fiberklaar in 2021, has agreed to sell its stake to co-shareholder ProximusSince 2021, Fiberklaar has successfully become the leading independent fiber-to-the-home provider in the Flemish region of BelgiumToday, Fiberklaar has many active construction projects across Flanders and is well on track to bring fiber to households throughout the region

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, July 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — EQT is pleased to announce that the EQT Infrastructure V fund (“EQT”) has signed an agreement to sell its majority stake in Fiberklaar (the “Company”) to its co-shareholder Proximus, Belgium’s largest telecom operator, for a purchase price of EUR 246 million.

Headquartered in Ghent, Fiberklaar is Flanders’ leading independent fiber-to-the-home provider, rolling out a large-scale, open access network to households and small businesses. Today, Fiberklaar has many active construction projects across Flanders and is well on track to bring fiber to households throughout the region. Fiberklaar was founded as a joint venture in 2021 by EQT and Proximus, marking EQT’s first partnership with a national telecoms incumbent.

Applying its experience in developing strong fiber companies in Europe and North America, EQT, alongside Proximus, has supported Fiberklaar in creating an efficient rollout engine to build a fiber network accessible to all operators. Since its formation, Fiberklaar has played an instrumental role in accelerating fiber deployment in the Flemish region, driving digital inclusion in Belgium which continues to lag other European countries in terms of fiber coverage.

Having achieved significant milestones during its ownership, EQT’s exit is a natural next step for Fiberklaar. The Company now begins a new chapter in its journey to increase access to high-speed connectivity solutions in Belgium, while playing a role in Proximus’ possible future cooperation agreements to roll-out fiber in Flanders.

Ulrich Köllensperger, Partner within the EQT Value-Add Infrastructure Advisory team, said: “Private capital has a huge role to play in supporting companies solving connectivity gaps and modernizing digital infrastructure. We are pleased to have helped Fiberklaar scale so quickly together with Proximus, drawing on our vast experience of multiple fiber-to-the-home rollout projects across geographies. We thank the entire Fiberklaar team for their contribution and look forward to following the Company’s journey as it continues to foster digital inclusion and contribute to the prosperity of the Flemish Region.”

Guillaume Boutin, CEO Proximus, said: “Over the past three years, Fiberklaar, with full support of EQT Infrastructure and Proximus, has transformed from a start-up into a strong deployment engine. Becoming the only shareholder of Fiberklaar will allow us to work more closely together and further increase the efficiency and quality of the fiber roll-out in Flanders, while capturing the value generated by synergies.”

Jo van Gorp, CEO Fiberklaar, said: “I am very grateful to EQT for their great cooperation and support and look forward to the next phase of our partnership with our sole shareholder Proximus. Fiberklaar has played an instrumental role in accelerating fiber deployment in the Flemish region, driving digital inclusion in Belgium which continues to lag other European countries in terms of fiber coverage. We have achieved many impressive milestones over the last years with our most valued employees, construction partners and suppliers. With the valuable experience and know-how of the Proximus Group and the good relations with our stakeholders, Fiberklaar is well positioned to continue its mission to further roll out its high-quality and future-proof fiber network open to all.”

The closing of the transaction is expected in the coming days.

Contact
EQT Press Office, press@eqtpartners.com

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Technology

OCR Canada Rebrands to Levata

Published

27 minutes ago

December 27, 2024

TORONTO, Dec. 27, 2024 /CNW/ — OCR Canada Ltd., Canada’s leading solutions provider of automated identification data capture (AIDC) products, software, and services for businesses across industries and government organizations, is pleased to announce its rebrand to Levata as of January 1, 2025. This transition unites Canada’s operations with Levata’s global identity, streamlining the company’s messaging while honoring OCR Canada’s more than 40-year legacy of trusted service and expertise.

The name OCR, which originally stood for Optical Character Recognition, reflects a technology that no longer represents the company’s comprehensive offerings. Rebranding to Levata supports the broader strategic vision of uniting Levata across markets under one multinational brand to better communicate the full value Levata delivers to its customers.

“This rebrand is an exciting milestone for Canada,” said Tony Mastrangeli, Executive Vice President & GM of Canada. “While our name is changing, the exceptional service, expertise, and relationships our customers rely on remain the same. Levata will continue to empower businesses with tailored solutions, just as OCR Canada has for more than 40 years.”

The transition follows a successful history of growth in Canada, with OCR Canada joining Levata in 2014. Since then, the Canadian arm has expanded its expertise through strategic acquisitions and established itself as a leading provider of AIDC solutions across industries.

“This rebrand marks the next step in Levata’s long-term vision,” said Dan Nettesheim, CEO of Levata. “By uniting under a single, global identity, we are amplifying our global message that we enable our customers to elevate their potential. Today, we provide solutions beyond OCR and barcoding, we also offer leading technology and services for enterprise mobility, RFID, networking, IT infrastructure, and more to help customers succeed in a competitive and rapidly evolving market.”

To complement this transformation, Levata Canada will launch a French-enabled eCommerce platform in January 2025, further enhancing customer access and experience.

For more information about the rebranding, visit www.Levata.com/en-ca/news/ocr-canada-rebrands-to-levata.

About Levata
Levata enables customers to elevate their potential by providing strategies, solutions, and services that power modern environments. With a broad suite of technology products to enable enterprise mobility, a digital supply chain, a secure workplace, and an elevated customer experience, and the services to move businesses forward, Levata unlocks the power of thousands of organizations worldwide. Levata has operated as a market leader in full-stack technology solutions for over 40 years. Learn more at www.levata.com.

Alana Tufford, Director, Enterprise Marketing
Levata
905-475-5505 x242
branding@levata.com

SOURCE Levata

Technology

“Intangible Cultural Heritage in China” Now Airing on CCTV

Published

27 minutes ago

December 27, 2024

BEIJING, Dec. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Intangible Cultural Heritage in China, a landmark cultural series jointly presented by China Media Group (CMG) and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China, takes audiences on an immersive journey where tradition and innovation converge. Through interactive and engaging experiences, the program has ignited nationwide interest in China’s intangible cultural heritage (ICH) as audiences witness the dynamic transformation of ancient traditions into contemporary practices. A new episode continues on CCTV-1 at 8:00 PM on December 21, 2024.

Staying true to its core theme of “bringing heritage to life through people, crafts, and daily practices”, this series celebrates master artisans while showcasing the creative evolution of traditional culture. It illustrates how ICH enriches modern life, catalyzes new development modalities of cultural tourism, and strengthens regional economies through the harmonious integration of heritage preservation and tourism development.

In the Shandong episode, viewers are transported to the Ancient City of Langya in Linyi. CMG host Long Yang explores the city’s heritage districts alongside distinguished guests Shan Jixiang, Chairman of the Expert Committee of the China Cultural Relics Academy and Director of the Palace Museum’s Academic Committee, and acclaimed actress Kara Hui. Together, they unveil Shandong’s extraordinary cultural legacy through masterful demonstrations of traditional craftsmanship, immersive workshops, authentic Lu cuisine experiences, and an enlightening journey across the storied lands of Qi and Lu.

Watch the premiere at 8:00 PM on December 21, 2024 on CCTV-1, with exclusive streaming available on www.yangshipin.cn. Stay tuned!

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Technology

Thinkfree showcases AI-Driven future workplace at CES 2025

Published

1 hour ago

December 27, 2024

LAS VEGAS and SEOUL, South Korea, Dec. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Thinkfree, a global software company in productivity tools and AI technology, will participate in CES 2025, taking place in Las Vegas from January 7 to January 10, 2025. During the event, Thinkfree will present its vision for the future workplace powered by AI technologies.

Thinkfree will present scenarios showcasing the potential of AI to revolutionize productivity in next-generation workspaces, including autonomous vehicles and smart offices. Visitors will explore how Thinkfree solutions enable efficient data access, accurate information discovery, key detail summarization, and streamlined collaboration in mobile or in-vehicle work environments.

Thinkfree’s suite of advanced solutions powers these transformative experiences, including Thinkfree Office Online – a web-based productivity suite, Refinder AI – an AI-powered enterprise search and assistant solution, Thinkfree Drive – an integrated cloud storage and office platform, and Thinkfree Intellect – a tailored knowledge management service designed for enterprises.

Deekay Kim, CEO of Thinkfree, stated, ” As the digital transformation of work environments progresses, Thinkfree is committed to harnessing our expertise in productivity tools and AI to drive efficiency in the future workplaces, such as autonomous vehicles and smart offices. CES 2025 will provide us with the perfect platform to highlight our innovations to the global market and encourage partnership that will help define the future of work.”

Visitors to Thinkfree’s booth in North Hall, Booth #8676, at the Las Vegas Convention Center can experience solutions such as Thinkfree Office Online and Refinder AI, with experts on hand to offer guidance on technology integration and partnership opportunities.

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SOURCE THINKFREE