Belgian cableco Telenet is still negotiating for French rival Numericable’s assets in Belgium and Luxembourg, contrary to reports that it is no longer interested, TelecomFinance understands.
According to these reports, originating from undisclosed…
Belgian cableco Telenet is still negotiating for French rival Numericable’s assets in Belgium and Luxembourg, contrary to reports that it is no longer interested, TelecomFinance understands.
According to these reports, originating from undisclosed sources cited by local paper De Tijd, Telenet has withdrawn from the race to acquire the Numericable units.
However, a source close to the process said the cash-rich company, widely considered the frontrunner for the assets, was “definitely still in the negotiations”.
Reports add that Walloon cable operator Voo and local businessman Philippe Lhomme, a former Numericable president, are also interested in acquiring the operations, which are valued at E300m-E350m according to banker estimates.
In a separate report, Duco Sickinghe, CEO of Telenet, which operates in Flanders and Brussels, is cited by Le Soir welcoming opportunities to partner with Voo to cover more of Belgium.
It is not clear whether such partnerships could include a joint bid in private equity-backed Numericable’s sale.
Rothschild has been appointed to run the auction, and other potential candidates could logically include Apax France, Advent and Barclays Private Equity.
Telenet declined to comment.
