OTE Group is looking to conclude deals to sell off three separate units of Telekom Romania within the next four months.
As reported in business publication Economica, Orange is currently leading the pack to acquire Telekom Romania’s mobile operations, while the fixed-line unit is being eyed by an investment fund headed by Bulgarian businessman Spas Roussev. Finally, Digi Communications subsidiary RCS & RDS is holding discussions over the satellite TV unit.
In January, another group controlled by Roussev acquired Telekom Albania from OTE Group. At the time, Roussev stated that he was working with a partner on a possible acquisition of a controlling stake in Telekom Romania. OTE has now evidently opted to split the operator into three business units.
Deutsche Telekom is the largest shareholder in OTE Group and is reportedly looking to expedite the sale, but the issue of Telekom Romania’s debt burden has proven something of a roadblock.
The deals will require approval from regulators, and this could further complicate matters as Orange already leads the mobile market. If it acquires Telekom Romania’s subscribers, its market share would rise above 50% while reducing the number of operators to three.
