KPN eyeing up Tele2 Belgium

Netherlands-based operator KPN said Tuesday that it is in discussions to buy Tele2’s Belgian unit, Versatel, for approximately Eur100m.

KPN’s rationale is to grow its market share in Belgium through the acquisition and by deploying new and different distribution channels and cross-selling products.

The company also moved to quash ongoing speculation over KPN’s intentions to make a bid for Bouygues Telecom in France. “KPN wishes to state that no such bid is forthcoming,” company CEO, Ad Scheepbouwer, said.

‘We have just announced an intended bid for Getronics and are working on opportunities to strengthen our Belgian business by means of smaller fill-in acquisitions. With the acceleration of our share repurchase program we are striking the right balance between shareholder returns and strengthening our core business. This is not the time to entertain possibilities of a move to acquire Bouygues Telecom,” Scheepbouwer added.