Vodafone rings the changes for Czech bid

Published: 17 August 2004 y., Tuesday
Europe’s largest mobile phone operator, has shunned its traditional advisers on mergers and acquisitions with the appointment of Citigroup to weigh a possible $2 billion (£1.1 billion) bid for the Czech Republic’s Cesky Telecom. Citigroup’s engagement is a blow to UBS and Goldman Sachs, the investment banks that advised Vodafone on lucrative bids including the mobile group’s failed tilt at America’s AT&T Wireless earlier this year and its successful takeover of Germany’s Mannesmann in 2000. Vodafone said that it had appointed Citigroup and Ceska Sporitelna, a Czech bank, because of their stronger knowledge of the country, where the Government plans to sell its 51 per cent stake in Cesky Telecom. The Czech Government plans to open a tender in September for its stake in the former monopoly, which is one of the most profitable telecoms groups in Europe. Cesky comprises a fixed line business with about 3.6 million customers and the nation’s leading wireless group, Eurotel. Vodafone is unlikely to be interested in the fixed-line operations and is expected to investigate the possibility of buying only the wireless business.
Šaltinis: business.timesonline.co.uk
Copying, publishing, announcing any information from the News.lt portal without written permission of News.lt editorial office is prohibited.

Facebook Comments

New comment


Captcha

Associated articles

The most popular articles

Court of Auditors report, European Anti-Fraud

Thursday morning MEPs debated a report from the European Court of Auditors on EU expenditure in 2007. more »

Cars sold 2 for 1 as sales crash

Wander along any supermarket aisle and you'll see a number of two-for-one offers. It's not something we're used to seeing at our local car showroom. more »

Big Three autos plead for help

The leaders of the so-called Big Three of the U.S. auto industry were on the hot seat on Capitol Hill. more »

HP Announces Preliminary Fourth Quarter Results

HP today announced preliminary results for the fourth fiscal quarter 2008 with revenue of $33.6 billion, a year-over-year increase of 19% or 16% when adjusted for the effects of currency. more »

Opening up the labour market

When the EU expanded in 2004, some of the 15 existing EU countries were worried they would be flooded by workers from eastern and central Europe. more »

Monday in Strasbourg: wage gap, euro at 10, EuroMedscola

Monday MEPs discussed ways to narrow the gender pay gap that still exists in Europe, despite 30 years of legislation. more »

MEPs' diagnosis on economy ahead of Washington G20

The financial crisis has become a major threat to the economies, jobs and lives of millions worldwide. more »

Tightening the net on overfishing

Fisheries in the EU are regulated to protect stocks from overfishing and prevent damage to marine ecosystems. more »

Energy in an emergency

Energy prices in the EU have risen by an average of 15% in the last year and Europeans wonder whether speculators are driving up oil prices. more »

USA Treasury will focus on investing in bank shares

Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson offered an update on the government's financial rescue efforts. more »