Laurent Therivel has been named chief executive officer of Arium Networks, the newly branded successor to Crown Castle’s Small Cell Solutions business. The appointment will take effect once the $4.25 billion transaction with EQT closes in the first half of 2026.
Therivel brings more than two decades of telecom leadership, having served as president and CEO of UScellular and as chief executive of AT&T Mexico. His experience in building carrier networks and managing large‑scale operations positions him to guide Arium’s expansion into the high‑growth 5G small‑cell market.
Crown Castle’s divestiture of its small‑cell and fiber assets to EQT and Zayo was designed to sharpen the company’s focus on its core tower business and unlock shareholder value. Arium will operate as an independent, standalone entity within EQT’s infrastructure portfolio, with its own board and governance structure.
The small‑cell market is projected to grow from $4.2 billion in 2023 to $30.84 billion by 2032, a CAGR of 24.8%. Arium will build and operate digital infrastructure for small‑cell, in‑building, and venue‑based networks, tapping demand from 5G densification, enterprise connectivity, and indoor coverage needs. Crown Castle’s small‑cell segment grew 6% in 2023, adding 8,000 new nodes, underscoring the strong foundation Arium inherits.
Investors have responded favorably to the divestiture, viewing the shift to a pure‑play tower company as a step that improves financial predictability and capital efficiency. Analysts highlighted the strategic clarity and the potential for Arium to capture a growing share of the 5G small‑cell market.
Crown Castle CEO Steven Moskowitz said the sale “represents a significant step toward Crown Castle’s refined focus as a pure‑play provider of multi‑tenant tower assets.” EQT partner Alexander Greenbaum added that small‑cell networks are “essential to the digital infrastructure ecosystem” and that the investment aligns with EQT’s strategy of backing long‑term contracted, core infrastructure assets.
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