Telekom Austria (TA) CEO Hannes Ametsreiter does not expect key shareholder America Movil (AMX) to make a hostile move toward the company in the wake of its failed bid for Dutch telco KPN.
Speaking at a trade show in Vienna, Ametsreiter described AMX…
Telekom Austria (TA) CEO Hannes Ametsreiter does not expect key shareholder America Movil (AMX) to make a hostile move toward the company in the wake of its failed bid for Dutch telco KPN.
Speaking at a trade show in Vienna, Ametsreiter described AMX as a good partner, adding that he does not expect the Mexico-based company “to act in a hostile way”, Reuters reported.
He said he does not know whether AMX, controlled by Carlos Slim, intends to boost its current direct and indirect stake in company of just under 23%. State-holding OeIAG is TA’s largest shareholder with a 28.42% stake.
Contradicting certain recent media reports, Ametsreiter also told reporters that a capital increase is not on TA’s current agenda.
There had been speculation that the Austrian incumbent was considering a substantial capital raise to fund its participation in the nation’s 4G spectrum auction as well as acquisitions in the CEE region. TA was said to be interested in SBB/Telemach but reportedly dropped out of the sales process due to uncertainty over financing. Private equity firm KKR recently agreed to acquire the Serbian cableco for a reported €1bn (US$1.35bn).
While Austrian law prohibits mobile operators from commenting on whether they are participating in the spectrum auction, Ametsreiter noted that all local operators will want to ensure they do well. This takes priority over foreign expansion, he added. Results of the multiband spectrum auction are expected this month.
TA competes with Deutsche Telekom’s T-Mobile and Hutchison Whampoa’s 3 in the mobile market.
