Telekom Austria CEO Hannes Ametsreiter has said he thinks the company has the opportunity to become the largest, most integrated operator in southeast Europe and is interested in assets in Croatia and Serbia.
In an interview with Austrian newspaper…
Telekom Austria CEO Hannes Ametsreiter has said he thinks the company has the opportunity to become the largest, most integrated operator in southeast Europe and is interested in assets in Croatia and Serbia.
In an interview with Austrian newspaper Wirtschaftsblatt, Hannes affirmed that both H1 Telecom in Croatia and Serbia Broadband (SBB) are interesting assets. Regarding cableco and ISP SBB, which has been put up for sale by private equity firm Mid Europa Partners, he said Telekom Austria would certainly be interested in information on the sales process.
Asked how his company would finance such acquisitions, Hannes said small ones could be paid for in cash but larger ones would require greater thought. He said that while a capital increase is not on the current agenda, he would not rule one out in the future.
As for whether Telekom Austria would consider exiting existing markets, Ametsreiter said that while they are challenging, that alone is not a reason to retreat.
He said the telco is continuing with its convergence strategy adopted in 2009, noting that the company has bought several cable and satellite companies already.
Speaking about declining revenues in the Austrian market, the CEO noted that competition is intense, largely due to strict regulations. He said he looked “enviously” at the US where the sector is less regulated and more heavily invested than ever before.
Hannes declined to comment on Austria’s upcoming spectrum auction, but conceded that, following two bond issues this year of €300m and €600m, Telekom Austria would have no financial problems in taking part.
