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France: State encourages Orange outreach to international telcos

By  |  April 10, 2014

French officials are reportedly encouraging domestic wireless mergers, but have asked top telco Orange to reach out to cross-boarder EU peers to form alliances, say reports.

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    Economy Minister Arnaud Montebourg spoke at the National Assembly to discuss the industry following the sale of SFR, sold by Vivendi and sparking a bidding war between Numericable and Bouygues.

    SFR was sold for more than $23 billion, say reports, to Numericable.

    Since, more changes in the wireless sector are expected as Bouygues is rumored to be discussing a deal with Iliad, though officials denied it this week.

    ”Consolidation is a necessity in France and in Europe,” Montebourg said. “We will work actively to encourage it.”

    While the economic chief said a deal between Iliad and Bouygues would be encouraged, Orange is being asked to seek out partnerships abroad; the company’s largest shareholder is the government, which holds a 27 percent stake in the company.

    Full Content: Businessweek

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