Dutch incumbent KPN is prepared to play an active role in consolidation in Germany, according to CEO Eelco Blok.
“If something is available and the price is right we will look at it,” Blok told journalists during a conference in Brussels on 3…
Dutch incumbent KPN is prepared to play an active role in consolidation in Germany, according to CEO Eelco Blok.
“If something is available and the price is right we will look at it,” Blok told journalists during a conference in Brussels on 3 October.
He added that there was currently nothing for sale.
Back in July, Blok said Germany was an important market for KPN, which owns mobile operator E-Plus in the country, and he saw opportunities to grow further.
His predecessor, Ad Scheepbouwer, told Dow Jones in April that he expected consolidation would return to the European telco market in a few years, as governments cut debt and operators review their portfolios.
Consolidation is already on its way in Germany after US media giant Liberty, which owns German number two cableco Unitymedia, agreed to acquire smaller operator Kabel BW for E3.16bn earlier this year. However, the local Cartel Office is currently investigating the proposed takeover because of potential antitrust concerns.
Meanwhile, UK-based private equity firm Star Capital has been rumoured to be the mystery bidder for another German cable operator, Tele Columbus. But the latter recently restructured its debt, meaning a potential sale might be premature, according to sources.
