Telecoms Network Builder Telent Acquires the Harlequin Group

Technology, telecoms and civil engineering firm Telent, which among other things is helping to build various full fibre (FTTP) broadband and 5G mobile networks across the United Kingdom, has today acquired one of their rivals in the same space – the Harlequin Group – for an undisclosed sum.

Telent anticipates that today’s acquisition will “significantly enhance” its professional services capability in the site acquisition and design arena. This will allow them to provide a comprehensive and expanded ADC (acquire, design & construct) service and provide complete turnkey project solutions to the UK’s mobile operators, at a time when they’re rapidly migrating to 5G technology.

In addition to enabling Telent to deliver a comprehensive range of services to support MNOs with all aspects of delivering public 5G networks, the acquisition is also complementary to the company’s leading role with 5G Private Network applications. The addition also expands their capabilities with fibre network planning, surveying and design, among other things.

Jo Gretton, CEO of Telent, said:

“Telent has an established and successful business supporting the UK’s MNOs with the deployment of their networks and base station infrastructure. With our strong background in wireless network deployment, our area of focus has historically been more on the physical build and construction activity.

The addition of the site acquisition, planning and design capability that the team at Harlequin bring to Telent enables us to provide a complete and compelling proposition for the UK MNO market. The timing of this acquisition is ideal as the UK’s mobile networks are ramping up their transition to 5G technology.”

As a wholly owned subsidiary of Telent, the Harlequin Group will form a key part of the company’s Network Services division and will continue to trade with the Harlequin brand. Telent were supported with this acquisition by Pinsent Mason LLP and Ernst & Young LLP. The Harlequin Group were advised on their sale by RSM UK Corporate Finance LLP and Hill Dickinson LLP.