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Spain/UK: O2 mobile network may be floated by Telefonica

By  |  September 5, 2016

Telefonica said it had started exploring strategic options for the UK business, including the possibility of an initial public offering.

But it said it would continue to hold a majority shareholding in the business if any such move took place.

The update comes as Telefonica announced it would also float infrastructure subsidiary Telxius Telecom in the second half of this year.

It will be listed on the Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid and Valencia stock exchanges and included on the Spanish Continuous Market.

The European Commission formally blocked Hong Kong-based mobile operator CK Hutchison, which owns 3, from pushing through a £10.3 billion takeover of O2 in May.

EU antitrust regulators argued that the deal would have meant higher prices and less choice for UK consumers.

Full Content: Belfast Telegraph

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