Completion of Aqua Comms sale & return of capital

Summary by AI BETAClose X

Digital 9 Infrastructure PLC has completed the sale of its Aqua Comms business for a final net consideration of £34.0 million, which is £1.6 million higher than previously reported. The company intends to return these proceeds, after retaining approximately one-third for future working capital needs related to its wind-down plan, to shareholders via a compulsory capital redemption. This move is part of a broader strategy to realize assets, including future sales of Elio Networks and Arqiva, to maximize shareholder value.

Disclaimer*

Digital 9 Infrastructure PLC
31 December 2025
 

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION AS STIPULATED UNDER THE UK MARKET ABUSE REGULATION. UPON THE PUBLICATION OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, SUCH INSIDE INFORMATION IS NOW CONSIDERED TO BE IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN

 

31 December 2025

 

DIGITAL 9 INFRASTRUCTURE PLC

 

("D9" or the "Company" and, together with its subsidiaries, the "Group")

 

Completion of Aqua Comms sale  

and proposed return of capital to shareholders

 

The Board of D9 (the "Board") announces the completion of the divestment of its Atlantic and Irish Sea subsea fibre business, Aqua Comms (the "Transaction"), for a final net consideration of £34.0 million1. Completion follows the satisfaction of all closing conditions under the sale and purchase agreement.

 

The final net consideration is £1.6 million higher than the £32.4 million valuation of Aqua Comms reported in the Company's 30 June 2025 interim report. As disclosed in the interim report, the June 2025 valuation of Aqua Comms reflected the update of the completion account mechanism as well as revised USD/GBP foreign exchange rate at that date.

 

The Board intends to return proceeds, net of anticipated future working capital needs (being approximately a third of the proceeds), to shareholders by way of a pro‑rata compulsory capital redemption, which is expected to facilitate the most efficient and cost-effective return of the proceeds to shareholders.

 

Future working capital needs include the necessary ongoing operational cost commitments through to the final wind down of the Company, following future anticipated sale processes for Elio Networks and Arqiva. These processes are expected to occur over the coming years to maximise value for D9's shareholders in line with the previously communicated realisation plan for the Company. Maintaining an adequate working capital reserve will assist the Company in managing and optimise exit timing, while providing a measure of liquidity for any potential unforeseen operational expenses over the coming years. The Company will continue to monitor its working capital needs and will accelerate realisation plans and further capital redemptions when appropriate.

 

The Company will provide further details on the capital redemption scheme in due course.

 

1 GBP amounts as per the final 1.3527 USD/GBP exchange rate traded on 30 December 2025.

 

ENDS.

 

 

 

Notes to Editors

 

Capitalised terms used but not defined in this announcement shall have the same meaning as given in prior announcements of the Company.

 

Contacts

 

Digital 9 Infrastructure plc

Eric Sanderson                                                        

via FTI Consulting                                                                                          

InfraRed Capital Partners Limited

James O'Halloran

Mohammed Zaheer

+44 (0) 207 484 1751

 

Panmure Liberum Limited (Financial Adviser to the Company)

Chris Clarke

Darren Vickers

+44 (0) 203 100 2222

J.P. Morgan Cazenove (Corporate Broker)

William Simmonds

Jérémie Birnbaum

+44 (0) 20 7742 4000

FTI Consulting (Communications Adviser)

Mitch Barltrop

Maxime Lopes

dgi9@fticonsulting.com

+44 (0) 7807 296 032

+44 (0) 7890 896 777

 

LEI Code: 213800OQLX64UNS38U92

 

The person responsible for arranging the release of this announcement on behalf of the Company is Uloma Adighibe of Hanway Advisory Limited, the Delegated Company Secretary.

 

About Digital 9 Infrastructure plc

 

Digital 9 Infrastructure plc (DGI9) is an investment trust listed on the London Stock Exchange and a constituent of the FTSE All-Share, with the ticker DGI9. The Company's investment objective is to undertake a Managed wind-down of the Company and realise all existing assets in the Company's portfolio in an orderly manner. For more information, please visit www.d9infrastructure.com.

 

About InfraRed Capital Partners (Investment Manager to D9 appointed to effect the wind-down)

 

InfraRed was appointed in an advisory position on 11 October 2024 and AIFM on 11 December 2024 to effect the Managed Wind-Down of D9.

 

InfraRed manages US$13bn of equity capital for investors around the globe, in listed and private funds across both core and value-add strategies. InfraRed combines a global reach, operating worldwide from offices in London, Madrid, New York, Sydney and Seoul, with deep sector expertise from a team of more than 160 people. InfraRed is part of SLC Management, the institutional alternatives and traditional asset management business of Sun Life, and benefits from its scale and global platform.

 

Further details can be found on InfraRed's website www.ircp.com.

 

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