EI Towers
EI Towers is Italy's largest independent tower company, operating ~2,400 broadcast and telecom sites serving TV and radio broadcasters, mobile operators, sports rights holders, and IoT customers, with international signal distribution from its Lissone broadcast centre.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1999
- HeadquartersLissone, Italy
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What EI Towers does
EI Towers S.p.A. is Italy's largest independent tower company, operating approximately 2,400 broadcasting sites that provide shared infrastructure for television, radio, mobile telecommunications, and IoT services. Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Lissone (Monza-Brianza), the company is privately held following a 2018 voluntary tender offer by 2i Towers, a vehicle jointly backed by infrastructure fund F2i and broadcaster MFE (Mediaset). Its product portfolio spans DVB-T television broadcasting, AM/FM and DAB+ radio transmission, hosting and DAS/Small Cell solutions for mobile and FWA operators, the Sigfox-based LPWA IoT network operated through subsidiary EIT Smart, and end-to-end broadcast services including satellite and fiber-based signal distribution. A central operational asset is the Iliad International Broadcast Centre in Lissone, which connects all Italian stadiums via fiber and distributes sports content to more than 50 international broadcasters across 180+ countries.
The company generates revenue through recurring hosting and subscription contracts with network operators, sports rights holders (notably Lega Serie A and Mediaset), mobile operators, and IoT customers. Go-to-market is enterprise-direct via a network of 15 regional offices across Italy and a corporate website information-request channel. Beyond core infrastructure hosting, EI Towers layers professional services such as MCR operations, production coordination, post-production through group company EIT Sport, and AI-powered virtual advertising delivered through a partnership with ISG Europe (TGI Sport). The company is in negotiations to merge with state-backed Rai Way, a combination that would consolidate roughly 4,700 tower sites and value the merged entity at nearly EUR 4 billion, reshaping the Italian broadcast infrastructure market.
Operational maturity is evidenced by TÜV Rheinland-issued certifications across ISO 37001 (anti-bribery), ISO 14001 (environmental), and ISO 45001 (occupational health and safety), and a 2013 Fitch BBB credit rating supporting prior bond issuance. AI capability is presently partnership-dependent and concentrated in virtual advertising insertion, while the core business remains a regulated infrastructure utility anchored by long-term enterprise contracts and regulatory compliance under Italian Anti-Trust Authority oversight.
EI Towers firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- EI Towers
- Legal name
- EI Towers S.p.A.
- Website
- https://eitowers.it
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1999
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- EI Towers is Italy's largest independent tower company, operating ~2,400 broadcast and telecom sites serving TV and radio broadcasters, mobile operators, sports rights holders, and IoT customers, with international signal distribution from its Lissone broadcast centre.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
EI Towers industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Telecommunications Tower Infrastructure
- NAICS
- Radio and Television Broadcasting Stations (5161), Satellite Telecommunications (517410), Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite) (517112)
- SIC
- Television Broadcasting Stations (4833)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Tower Operations & Maintenance (Field Services) (HDAIAKAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Real Estate, Leasing & Colocation Management (Landlords/REITs) (HDAIAKAJ), Satellite Video & Media Distribution (DTH, Contribution/Distribution, Occasional Use) (HDAIAJAG)
Keywords
Where EI Towers is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lissone
- HQ country
- Italy
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
EI Towers business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Tower Infrastructure Hosting: EI Towers operates as a tower company providing infrastructure hosting services for TV and radio broadcasters, and mobile operators. Revenue is generated through hosting fees and service contracts with network operators requiring site access for signal transmission.
- Broadcast Services: Audio and video contribution and distribution services for sporting events and media productions, both nationally and internationally. Services include production coordination, MCR services, satellite signal distribution, and post-production.
- IoT Connectivity (EIT Smart): Subscription-based Sigfox IoT connectivity services sold to the Italian IoT market, providing efficient, reliable and simple information management for connected devices.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
EI Towers product offering
Product offeringCore offering
EI Towers operates Italy's largest independent tower infrastructure network of approximately 2,400 broadcasting sites, providing infrastructure hosting and integrated services for TV broadcasters (DVB-T), radio broadcasters (AM/FM and DAB+), mobile network operators (GSM, DCS, UMTS, LTE, DAS & Small Cells), and IoT connectivity (via its EIT Smart subsidiary operating the Sigfox LPWA network). The company also delivers end-to-end professional broadcast services including audio/video contribution, satellite signal distribution, fiber optics, SRT transmission, and AI-powered virtual advertising for live sports and media events, distributing internationally to 50+ broadcasters across 180+ countries from its International Broadcast Center in Lissone.
Product overview
EI Towers operates as a tower company providing broadcast and telecommunications infrastructure services in Italy. The company offers a portfolio of infrastructure services including TV broadcast services (DVB-T), radio broadcast services (AM/FM and DAB+), broadcast services (audio/video contribution and distribution), mobile and FWA infrastructure (DAS & Small Cells), and IoT network services via its EIT Smart subsidiary. The company manages approximately 2,400 broadcasting sites and operates the Iliad International Broadcast Center for sports content distribution.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- EIT Smart: Subsidiary company operating the Sigfox IoT network in Italy providing LPWA connectivity services on a subscription basis.
Products and services
- TV Broadcast Services Digital terrestrial television (DVB-T) broadcasting infrastructure and network management services for national and local TV network operators in Italy, providing integrated services at high quality standards for the digital platform evolution.
- Radio Broadcast Services AM/FM analog and DAB+ digital radio broadcasting services leveraging approximately 2,400 transmission sites for nationwide capillary coverage of Italian radio audiences.
- Broadcast Services End-to-end audio and video contribution and distribution services in Italy and internationally, including satellite signal distribution, fiber optics, and SRT transmission for live sports events, entertainment, and media productions, with capability to reach 50+ broadcasters in 180+ countries from the International Broadcast Center in Lissone.
- Mobile and FWA Infrastructure Services Hosting services and end-to-end solutions for distributed wireless broadband infrastructure including DAS (Distributed Antenna Systems) and Small Cells for mobile operators using GSM, DCS, UMTS, and LTE technologies, covering both long-range tower positions and urban rooftop sites.
- EIT Smart IoT Network LPWA (Low Power Wide Area) Sigfox network in Italy offering effective national coverage for IoT connectivity services, managed on a subscription basis by EIT Smart S.r.l. subsidiary for efficient, reliable, and simple information management of connected devices.
Quantifiable outcome
- Broadcast reach to 50+ international broadcasters in 180+ countries for major sporting events
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use EI Towers
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
EI Towers technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
EI Towers partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- ISG Europa (TGI Sport)coreStrategic partnership for AI-powered virtual advertising in sports broadcasts. Uses player movement prediction to seamlessly integrate virtual perimeter VLEDs and virtual center circle graphics into live sports signals, synchronized in real-time for distribution to different global markets.
- Lega Serie AflagshipTechnological partnership providing broadcast services for Serie A Enilive, Coppa Italia Frecciarossa and EA Sports Supercup events. EI Towers serves as exclusive technological partner for signal contribution and distribution.
- Alamiya MediacoreLocal partner in Saudi Arabia providing transmission antennas and television production equipment for international events like EA SPORTS FC Supercup 2025 in Riyadh.
- EIT SportcoreGroup company providing post-production and archiving services for sports broadcasts. Creates products in multiple languages and formats for national, international markets and digital channels.
- iLikeminorPartnership with iLike for ComoLake2024 event as Premium Partner.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
EI Towers competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Rai Way: Italian tower company majority-owned by state broadcaster RAI. Direct competitor in DVB-T and radio hosting, and the subject of recurrent merger discussions with EI Towers to form a ~4,700-site national champion.
- Persidera: Italian broadcasting infrastructure operator (formerly Persidera/TowerTel, controlled by F2i) active in DVB-T transmission and digital terrestrial television services. Domestic competitor with overlapping broadcast hosting customers.
- Inwit: Italian tower operator (TIM/Vodafone JV) hosting mobile operator infrastructure nationwide. Closest domestic direct competitor to EI Towers in the mobile/FWA and DAS/Small Cells segment.
- 2i Towers: Italian tower company (F2i/MFE) that executed the 2018 voluntary tender offer to take EI Towers private. Sister/parent entity under common control with overlapping shareholder base and competitive positioning in Italy.
Broad incumbents
- American Tower: Global tower REIT operating communications sites worldwide. Highly comparable business model (tower hosting as core revenue) but at vastly greater scale and with exposure to multiple geographies, providing a useful valuation benchmark.
- SBA Communications: Global owner/operator of wireless communications tower sites serving mobile operators. Comparable tower-company economics and customer profile, providing a useful proxy for capital-light tower hosting returns.
- Cellnex Telecom: Europe's largest independent tower operator with extensive broadcast and telecom tower assets across multiple countries. Comparable business model as a tower landlord to broadcasters and MNOs, though at much larger scale and pan-European footprint.
- IHS Towers: One of the largest global independent tower operators focused on emerging markets across Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. Comparable infrastructure-as-a-service model serving multiple mobile operator tenants.
- Crown Castle: US tower and fiber infrastructure operator with comparable tower-hosting and small cell/DAS business. Similar mix of broadcast-adjacent and mobile operator customers and similar recurring lease economics.
- Helios Towers: EMEA-focused tower operator with presence across multiple African and Middle Eastern markets. Comparable tower-hosting model serving MNOs in markets where broadcast and telecom infrastructure are both growth drivers.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
EI Towers social profiles
Digital presenceEI Towers compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
EI Towers financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
EI Towers leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
EI Towers subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
EI Towers funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
EI Towers M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about EI Towers
What does EI Towers do?
EI Towers operates Italy's largest independent tower infrastructure network of approximately 2,400 broadcasting sites, providing infrastructure hosting and integrated services for TV broadcasters (DVB-T), radio broadcasters (AM/FM and DAB+), mobile network operators (GSM, DCS, UMTS, LTE, DAS & Small Cells), and IoT connectivity (via its EIT Smart subsidiary operating the Sigfox LPWA network). The company also delivers end-to-end professional broadcast services including audio/video contribution, satellite signal distribution, fiber optics, SRT transmission, and AI-powered virtual advertising for live sports and media events, distributing internationally to 50+ broadcasters across 180+ countries from its International Broadcast Center in Lissone.
Is EI Towers a public or private company?
EI Towers is a private company. It is classified as private equity controlled and is currently operating.
When was EI Towers founded?
EI Towers was founded in 1999. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is EI Towers based?
EI Towers is headquartered in Lissone, Italy, in the Europe region.
How does EI Towers make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Tower Infrastructure Hosting is the primary driver. The others are broadcast Services and ioT Connectivity (EIT Smart).
Who are EI Towers's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Rai Way, Persidera, Inwit and 2i Towers. Broad incumbents are American Tower, SBA Communications, Cellnex Telecom, IHS Towers, Crown Castle and Helios Towers.
Does EI Towers have an API?
No public API is recorded for EI Towers.
What industry is EI Towers in?
EI Towers's product category is Telecommunications Tower Infrastructure. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAIAKAF, Tower Operations & Maintenance (Field Services), with a secondary code of HDAIAKAJ, Real Estate, Leasing & Colocation Management (Landlords/REITs). Its NAICS code is 5161 and its SIC code is 4833.