Deals & M&A – Page 24
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M&A
Telefónica Colombia dials up DIRECTV buyout
DIRECTV internet services customer base and spectrum to be acquired under agreement, pending regulatory approval. Deal indicates “commitment” to Colombia despite rumblings of an exit, says CEO Hernández.
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M&A
VM-O2 sets sights on BT as merger gets final clearance
CMA’s final approval should see deal completed by 1 June. Owners trumpeting investment opportunities with fibre InfraCo potential coming to the fore.
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M&A
Deutsche Telekom pondering Dutch M&A options
Group appears cold on possibility of buying out junior partner in T-Mobile Netherlands when options open up in January 2022. New tie-up or sale flagged as likelier outcomes.
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M&A
Telefónica seeks buyers for logistics unit Zeleris — report
Telefónica España distribution and logistics subsidiary reportedly on the market with a €100m price tag. EY on board to push for a sale as divestment strategy continues across the Group.
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M&A
CADE makes Vivo wait for share of Oi’s mobile assets
Industry watchdog still inspecting ins and outs of Oi divestment. Closure now expected in early-2022. Consortium partners still confident of being granted go-ahead.
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M&A
Suitor emerges for Telefónica Uruguay
Grupo Olmos, Argentinian healthcare, insurance, and media conglomerate, formalises intention to enter negotiations for the OB. Former Telefónica Espana CEO Gipérez appointed to “lead” acquisition project.
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M&A
Telefónica offloads DCs to Nabiax
Operator exchanges DCs for minority holding in Nabiax. Long-term housing services agreement established. Deal mooted to worth around €100m.
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M&A
hubraum-backed Flexperto sold to RGI
The software provider, one of hubraum’s first investments, is acquired by insurance tech specialist RGI Group. Communications SaaS provider Flexperto claims to have seen significant growth during lockdowns.
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Strategy & Change
Safaricom: deadline for Ethiopia entry bid pushed back (again)
ECA grants Kenyan operator and other interested parties more time to consider ins and outs of Ethiopian expansion. Deadline revised for the second time in as many months. Laws blocking Safaricom from operating fintech service in country remain in place (for now).
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M&A
CMA doubts bundle demand as it greenlights VM-O2
Provisional clearance of merger based on limited ability of the partners to manipulate wholesale pricing and services in their favour. Creation of a new fixed-mobile giant not expected to unleash a sudden surge towards single-contract multi-play bundles in the UK market.
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M&A
Vodafone interest AST SpaceMobile completes merger
LEO satellite venture combines with special purpose acquisition company to fuel expansion, with eyes on going commercial with a helping hand from Vodafone. “ASTS” trading on NASDAQ. CEO Avellan unfazed by competition from SpaceX and co.
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M&A
Bids expected for Telxius subsea cables
Telefónica debt reduction strategy set to extend to submarine infrastructure as buyers are sought for 100,000km cable network. Reports indicate that an agreement is wanted by mid-2021, with rough valuations standing around the €2bn mark.
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M&A
Vodafone’s Icelandic affiliate divests Hey
Sýn sells minority stake in Faroese sister company. Icelandic operator seeking cost efficiencies (in more ways than one). Partner Market relationship remains active in service and tech development.
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M&A
BT absorbs Local Business agent Fourfront
Reseller relationship brought in-house in small transaction. BT says no shift in strategy for SME go-to-market.
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People
Schüler coronated as VM-O2 CEO
Lutz Schüler, dynamic Virgin Media chief, with a track record at O2 Germany, is to lead the new VM-O2 joint venture, subject to competition clearance. O2 CFO and experienced merger overseer Patricia Cobian to take on the JV finance role. No room for O2 CEO Mark Evans.
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Network & Infrastructure
T-Mobile Netherlands bulks up on fibre via new KKR venture
Dutch NatCo builds on Primevest investments as first anchor tenant of Open Dutch Fiber. New fibre venture taps former CEO and CCO of Vodafone Germany partner Deutsche Glasfaser. Move raises further questions over Group plans for its Dutch business.
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M&A
Telefónica’s Cerdán has more M&A deals up sleeve
Medium-scale buyouts remain on radar for Telefónica Tech CEO. Bold talk on deal-making forming route to growth goals. Reported souring of Govertis transaction hasn’t put Telefónica off.
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M&A
Tele2 reaffirms planned T-Mobile exit as lock-in nears its end
Tele2 Group reiterates plans to exit the Dutch market “over time”. Agreement with Deutsche Telekom opens offload option from January 2022. Rumours of a DT exit remain fresh.
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M&A
Vantage Towers buys out partner in Greek TowerCo
Vodafone TowerCo signals its independence with first acquisition since its IPO in Frankfurt. Vodafone Greece and Wind Hellas to remain anchor tenants of Greek TowerCo. Rival OTE bides its time.
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M&A
MiNODES brought in house as Telefónica NEXT shuts up shop
Data analytics acquisition MiNODES brought closer to O2’s core business. Telefónica NEXT now fully disbanded, with Germany Business Sales in its place.