Deals & M&A – Page 30
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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.
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M&AReliance 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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PremiumTelefónica 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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PremiumVodafone 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&AKKR 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&AT-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 & InfraVantage 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&AINWIT 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&AVodacom 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 & PerformanceTelefónica 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&ATelefónica’s El Salvador sale under review by regulator
$144m deal cannot go ahead without authorisation. SC has 90 business days to reach a decision.