Digital infrastructure is a basic public service – from 5G to AI

Since its introduction in 2019, 5G, the fifth generation of mobile communications standards, has been regarded as the new benchmark for enabling a connected everyday life. In order to ensure the availability of 5G, cope with the ever-increasing volume of data and close remaining gaps in coverage, a significant densification of the existing network of telecommunication towers is necessary.

The use of 5G goes far beyond mobile data usage via smartphones. In combination with high-performance fibre optic networks, the ever-increasing amounts of data¹ can be processed more efficiently.²

Real-time transmissions from device to device enable, for example, autonomous driving or the involvement of experts worldwide in operations that are accompanied by camera recordings, thus allowing live support. Intelligent networking in the ‘Internet of Things’ will continue to grow. 5G, with its higher transmission rates, can make an important contribution here. Approximately every ten years, a new generation of mobile communications emerges with expanded capabilities and higher speeds. Commercial use of 6G is not expected until 2030 at the earliest.³

Mobile towers continue to be the pillars of mobile communication and offer institutional investors attractive investment opportunities. The ongoing densification of networks – driven by the rapid spread of 5G and, in future, 6G – and increasing demands on network coverage and capacity require continuous expansion, which generates significant investment needs.

AllianzGI provided part of the financing for Cordiant’s acquisitions of the leading broadcasting and telecommunications infrastructure platforms in Poland and the Czech Republic.

A key industry trend is that many telecommunications companies are increasingly focusing on their core business and gradually selling or outsourcing their tower portfolios. This model, which has long been proven in the United States, is also gaining significant momentum in Europe. By outsourcing or selling their infrastructure, network operators create financial leeway for investments in innovation and services, while specialised tower companies and institutional investors gain access to high-quality portfolios with a stable, diversified customer base.

For investors, this can provide an opportunity for long-term, often index-linked leases with creditworthy mobile network operators, while also allowing them to participate directly in the growth of digital infrastructure. They can often benefit from a solid business model with low technology risk, as the active antennas are usually owned by the network operators and existing masts can continue to be used regardless of the technology. The quality of the locations, the diversification of the portfolios, the contract terms and the creditworthiness of the tenants are decisive factors for the success of the investment.

Allianz Global Investors is also invested in mobile towers worldwide, both on the equity and debt side. For complete 5G and gigabit coverage within the EU alone, additional investment of over €200 billion is expected.⁴

Over the past 15 years, the number of internet users worldwide has more than doubled, while global internet traffic has increased twentyfold.⁵ However, in some European countries, and particularly in more rural areas, the availability of high-speed broadband is still insufficient to meet demand.

Fibre optic networks are the cornerstone of a powerful, future- proof digital infrastructure and open up a wide range of investment opportunities. With the ongoing digitalisation and exponential growth of global data traffic, the demand for fast, efficient networks is constantly increasing. Around the world, outdated copper and cable networks are increasingly being replaced by modern, energy-saving fibre optic technology. The State of the Digital Decade 2025 report from the European Commission shows for example that the Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) coverage in Europe is 69.2% with an annual progress of 8.4%.⁶ The expansion and economic use of existing networks therefore continue to offer considerable investment potential.

Large institutional investors such as Allianz are already heavily involved in fibre optic projects in Europe, thereby contributing to improved connectivity, particularly in rural areas.

The market environment remains challenging: rising interest rates and operational challenges are putting pressure on new market entrants without sufficient capital resources in particular. Institutional investors with appropriate capital structures and a long-term investment horizon have a clear advantage here. They can often take advantage of stabilising expansion costs and actively shape the potential consolidation of the market. Attractive opportunities may currently arise here, particularly for established, financially strong equity investors.

The initial phase of fibre optic expansion is characterised by classic greenfield investments, which require a long-term investment horizon and a corresponding willingness to take risks. On the debt capital side, many investors are currently acting cautiously. Targeted public guarantees and subsidy programmes could further facilitate access for a broader investor base and mobilise urgently needed capital for nationwide fibre optic expansion.

It is clear that copper cable, with a service life of approximately 60-70 years, has had its day in telecommunications and must be replaced by fibre optics in order to meet today’s requirements. In addition, fibre optics consume significantly less power than copper cable during operation. Fibre optics therefore remain a sector that institutional investors should keep an eye on in every phase and through the whole capital spectrum.

According to a study by OpenAI and the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), ChatGPT currently has more than 700 million weekly active users and the number is continuing to grow rapidly.⁷ The areas of application are diverse, ranging from data analysis and brainstorming to research, which is currently the most common use case. According to estimates, artificial intelligence, AI-based tools and cloud solutions will see an annual growth rate of nearly 40%.⁸ The spectrum ranges from voice assistants, smart energy solutions and educational program- mes to applications in the medical field and the transport sector.

Data centres are indispensable for all internet-based applications and services. Every digital business model relies on powerful data centres. They provide the physical infrastructure that directs, stores and processes gigantic data streams, thereby ensuring the pulse of our networked economy. Without data centres, there would be no internet, no digital communication and no automated industrial processes. They are therefore not only systemically important, but also a key piece of infrastructure – a technological constant that cannot be virtualised in any way.

This segment offers an attractive investment opportunity for insti- tutional investors such as insurance companies, pension funds and asset managers. Demand for computing power is growing exponentially: artificial intelligence, big data, the Internet of Things and cloud solutions are driving the global flood of data to previously unimagined dimensions, thereby continuously increasing the need for high-performance data centres. At the same time, data centres are remarkably resilient to economic fluctuations thanks to long-term customer contracts and their system-critical nature – and offer reliable, predictable cash flows.

The rapid growth in global data volumes requires a new generation of high-performance data centres. Hyperscale data centres in particular – large facilities typically with around 5,000 servers – are increasingly attracting the attention of institutional investors. While technology companies provide the servers, infrastructure partners invest in operations, buildings, energy supply, connectivity and cooling. One example of this is Allianz Global Investors’ recent investment in the international data centre platform Yondr, which specialises in the development and operation of these hyperscale centres.

Due to high initial investments, regulatory requirements and technical complexity, market entry for new competitors is usually challenging. Existing operators secure sustainable competitive advantages through long-term contracts and strong partnerships. Investors thus have the opportunity to invest in scalable, future-proof infrastructure and, at the same time, fully capitalise on the megatrends of digitalisation.

Digital infrastructure – from data centres and telecommunications masts to fibre optic networks – is the foundation of modern innovations such as autonomous driving and telemedicine. It forms the backbone of our connected society. AllianzGI made its first investment in digital infrastructure 10 years ago.

Long-term inflation-proof contracts ensure stable cash flows and offer investors a solid risk structure. Nevertheless, greenfield investments, regulatory delays and the current interest rate environment pose challenges for financing. Not only is the capital requirement high, but competition for interesting projects – whether equity or debt – is also fierce, unless investors have exclusive access to transactions. A decisive factor is therefore finding the right partners to jointly tackle such projects. High ESG standards are essential for sustainable investment success, especially for energy- intensive digital infrastructure. The high investment requirements, broad diversification of institutional portfolios and dynamic development of AI and cloud applications make the sector a particularly exciting investment field on both the equity and debt sides. Investors who already have a robust international network and many years of experience in digital infrastructure often have the best access to attractive projects – and no AI can provide that yet.

¹EJahresbericht Telekommunikation 2023, Presse, Bundesnetzagentur
² Drei Voraussetzungen für 5G, Deutschland spricht über 5G
³6G: Wann kommt der Mobilfunkstandard der Zukunft?, o2 Business
⁴Bericht zu digitalem Wandel in der EU: Deutschland muss Digitalisierung der öffentlichen Dienste beschleunigen, Europäische Kommission
⁵Data centres & networks, IEA
⁶State of the Digital Decade 2025 report, Shaping Europe’s digital future
⁷How people are using ChatGPT, OpenAI
⁷Artificial Intelligence Market Size, Share, Growth Report 2030, grandviewresearch.com