Deals & M&A – Page 23
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Financial & Performance
Vodafone 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&A
DT ‘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&A
Spain 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.
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M&A
Reliance denies interest in acquiring BT stake
BT share price jumps on report that Indian conglomerate eyeing a move for UK incumbent. Reliance quick to dismiss the article as “completely speculative and baseless”, but City still excited.
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Premium
Telefónica linked to Portugal return, as Drahi builds war chest
Portuguese market leader in fixed and mobile access available for sale as owner Drahi looks at Eutelsat and BT acquisitions. Telefónica may consider spreading its wings as debt worries die down. Lack of infrastructure ‘crown jewels’ may lessen appeal of any deal.
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Premium
Vodafone New Zealand said to initiate tower spinout
Former Vodafone OpCo’s parents reported to have hired advisors to guide them through separation and monetisation. Move comes with regional tower market heating up. Both Spark and Vodafone NZ moot interest in infra-sharing.
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M&A
KKR launches Telecom Italia buyout attempt
Offer believed to be worth at least €32bn. Operator shares soar 30% as the news emerges.
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M&A
T-Systems sale speculation resurfaces
Reports in German media indicate DT could pare back ownership of — and exposure to — its long-challenged enterprise IT business. Suggestions point to a possible three-way deal in 2022.
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Network & Infrastructure
Vantage states ‘clear interest’ in Cornerstone buyout
Vodafone’s European TowerCo eyes opportunities in Netherlands and UK as partners Liberty and Telefónica look to cash in on wireless infrastructure assets. Strategic tie-up between Vantage and another MNO TowerCo also remains a possibility.
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M&A
INWIT continues to fill M&A kitty
Growing Italian TowerCo building up a €1bn platform for deal-making at end of its latest strategic cycle, in FY23. Expansion plans could give co-parent Vodafone another runner in European TowerCo race, beyond main vehicle Vantage Towers.
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M&A
Vodacom expands into Egypt with Vodafone stake switch
Vodafone to increase its stake in Vodacom to more than 65% following the transaction. Internal deal follows STC’s failed mission to buy Vodafone Egypt during 2020.
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Financial & Performance
Telefónica passes €1bn in shape shifting Tech push
Telefónica Tech division hitting €1bn in annualised revenue flagged as a highlight in Group’s Q3 results presentation. Growth business’s expansion still being significantly driven by M&A, obscuring ‘organic’ progress. Operator maintains rebound from pandemic with growth in earnings and revenue, and confirmation of guidance.
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M&A
Telefónica’s El Salvador sale under review by regulator
$144m deal cannot go ahead without authorisation. SC has 90 business days to reach a decision.
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Public Affairs
UK government defends Ethiopian mobile investment
Vodafone and CDC investment in Ethiopian mobile operator crops up in parliamentary debate on Tigray humanitarian crisis. Investment deemed to be “right” and long term. CDC emphasises role as impact investor with a lot of patience. Vodacom agrees to fund Safaricom Telecommunications Ethiopia.
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Network & Infrastructure
Starlink a potential suitor in Vodafone’s 28GHz lease deal
Vodafone in conversation with satellite operators to lease 28GHz spectrum in the UK. Elon Musk’s Starlink touted as an option
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M&A
Telefónica sells El Salvador unit at the second attempt
Honduran financiers acquire Telefónica El Salvador for a cut-price $144m following breakdown of negotiations with América Móvil in 2020. Move completes Telefónica’s exit from Central America.
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M&A
Telefónica moulds new UK unit for central cloud push
Cancom business, bought in August, becomes “Telefónica Tech UK & Ireland”. New name reflects ambitions to widen out Group’s in-country offering.
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M&A
Hrvatski Telekom’s Optima offload expected within “days”
Change in Electronic Media Act paves way for transaction with United Group. Regulatory chief “very satisfied” at the prospect of a “third major player” in the fixed market.
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M&A
Telefónica mulling Spanish infra stake sale?
Rumours circulate that Group is discussing fibre monetisation in Spain. Between five and ten funding vehicles reportedly put hats in the ring, as Group sounds out market interest. Sale speculation comes despite Telefónica classing its Spanish fibre infrastructure as a “strategic asset”.
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Premium
Deutsche Telekom finally exits Romania’s fixed-line market
After nearly a year-long wait, OTE signs off on deal to sell majority TRC stake to Orange. Deutsche Telekom’s interests in Romania now limited to mobile. As eyes turn to next moves in Group’s reshaping in Europe, OTE continues to indicate commitment to leftover Romanian mobile interest. Höttges says ...