Deals & M&A – Page 18
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PremiumBT wary of Cellnex compromise on CKH tower merger
Spanish InfraCo willing to sell enough sites from existing estate to enable new UK tower player to emerge, overcoming CMA concerns on competition linked to planned CKH infrastructure acquisition. Four companies already stepped forward as potential buyers. BT remains concerned about impact on MBNL and 5G investment plans.
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Content & TVTelefónica eyeing new industrial partners for Movistar+
Early-stage consideration reportedly underway on partnership that would see Telefónica bring in new investor for domestic pay-TV platform and international production interests. North American Spanish-language media merger may provide template for closer links between platforms and content. Movistar+ rebranding underway to further differentiate service from core offerings.
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M&ARegulator approves Oi sale
Decision confirmed, subject to conditions, after Brazilian regulator Anatel postponed ruling last week. A board member had asked for additional time to review sale to a consortium featuring Telefónica|Vivo, Claro Brasil, and TIM Brasil. Final approval still required from competition authority CADE.
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M&AVodafone under M&A spotlight in Italy, UK
Group reportedly in consolidation talks with Iliad in Italy. A potential merger with Three UK was also apparently explored. Vodafone keeps head down as rumours swirl. Read keen advocate of European in-market consolidation.
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M&AVodacom moves closer to Vodafone Egypt takeover
Vodacom gets shareholder backing for acquisition of 51% stake. Regulatory approval is still required.
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M&ATelefónica concludes Central American exit with El Salvador sale
General International Telecom’s $139m transaction completed. Sale goes through at the second attempt after an agreement with América Móvil collapsed in 2019.
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M&ADAZN retakes lead in BT Sport race
Sports streaming specialist in pole position to land $800m deal. Discovery JV still a possibility, but cash injection may be preferable as BT invests in 5G and fibre rollouts.
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M&AT-Mobile US picks up rideshare advertiser Octopus
Adtech-focused Marketing Solutions division makes acquisition to expand marketers toolkit. Octopus Interactive to transition to T-Mobile network for device connectivity.
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M&AGroup’s Central America withdrawal complete
El Salvador’s Superintendencia de Competencia gives Group green light to exit the market through transaction announced with General International Telecom in autumn. No conditions attached to approval, unlike earlier deal with América Móvil that ended up collapsing. Deal is final of five regional sales by Group.
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M&AMastercard buys former DT investment Dynamic Yield
AI-based customer experience personalisation platform picked up by Mastercard from McDonalds. Deutsche Telekom Capital Partners first invested in 2017.
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Venturing & InvestmentsT-Systems MMS continues blockchain drive with Polkadot support
Interoperable framework of public blockchains becomes T-Sys MMS’s fourth investment in the sector.
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M&AVM O2 CEO happy as spectator to BT takeover saga
Lutz Schüler, CEO at Virgin Media O2, said he “thanks God” his business is not distracted by shareholder goings on. Comes after Patrick Drahi expanded his shareholding in VM O2 rival BT. Schüler’s attention fixed on customer experience improvements and fibre rollout.
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M&ADefences up as Drahi increases BT stake
Patrick Drahi’s Altice UK stops short of a takeover bid, but increases holding to 18%. UK government issues warning that it “will not hesitate” to protect national interests amid concerns of foreign investment in critical infrastructure incumbent. Takeover not Drahi’s ‘intention’, but caveats are in place.
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M&AWill Drahi come knocking on BT’s door?
Six months on from French billionaire’s surprise raid on BT, Altice UK now free to up its stake or mount a takeover bid. Jansen called in for meeting with UK government minister to get the lowdown on Drahi’s intentions.
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M&AMagyar Telekom divests healthcare subsidiary
Hungarian NatCo’s T-Systems Hungary business has divested its Pan-Inform subsidiary. Unit will be operated by the state following the deal’s conclusion in early-2022.
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M&AAmerican Tower “excited” by tower M&A in Europe
CFO flags possibility of “compelling things” happening in Europe’s tower scene. Cautions, however, that American Tower in no rush for dealmaking. Deutsche Telekom, Cellnex, Orange, and Vodafone also in the mix for tower M&A.
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M&ABT Sport mulls Discovery JV as DAZN buyout stalls
Discovery in talks with BT over sports broadcasting partnership. Deal would offer strong alternative to DAZN’s £600m buyout attempt.
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Financial & PerformanceVodafone close to settling €2.4bn tax dispute with India
Group offers New Delhi a deal after retrospective tax legislation scrapped. Dispute harks back to Vodafone acquisition of Hutchison Essar in 2007. Indian stand-off has long cast a shadow over Group finances, despite recent legal victories.
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M&ADT ‘exploring fibre JVs in Austria, Poland’
Germany’s fledgling GlasfaserPlus tie-up said to be providing model for other JVs. Report indicates progress is at a more advanced stage in Austria.
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M&ASpain shields Telefónica as KKR’s TI bid makes waves
Spanish government reinforcing restrictions that would halt hostile bids for Telefónica until 2023. Europe’s telco sector awash with bid speculation as KKR pursues TI, and Indian conglomerate Reliance Industries is linked to a BT bid.