Wind

OTE makes play for Forthnet Greece

The battle for control of Greece’s leading alternative fixed line operator continues apace, with OTE joining the fray on Tuesday. The Greek carrier launched a bid of between €250-300m on a debt-free cash-free basis for the pay TV operation, Nova, which is owned by Forthnet.

Vodafone, Wind seek to acquire Forthnet

A battle for control of Greece’s leading alternative fixed line operator has broken out, as Vodafone Greece joined forces with Wind Hellas to try and take control of Forthnet, which also owns pay TV operator Nova.

Consolidation close in France and Italy, say reports

The French and Italian mobile markets could both be on the verge of significant consolidation, according to reports from news agency Reuters. In France incumbent telco Orange has set two investment banks to investigate the potential takeover of rival Bouygues, while talks have resumed between Hutchison and Vimpelcom, which own 3 Italia and Wind respectively, about a potential merger. In both instances Reuteurs cited unnamed sources close to the situation.

VimpelCom-Wind merger gets shareholder green light

Shareholders in Russian operator VimpelCom have voted in favour of a $6bn merger with Wind Telecom SpA. Despite strong opposition from major shareholder Telenor, more than 53 per cent of voters supported a deal that will see the creation of the world’s 5th-largest mobile company by subscriber base.

Telenor in disagreement over VimpelCom-Wind deal

Telenor and VimpelCom are still slugging it out over the Russian player’s proposed acquisition of Wind Telecom, part of Egyptian billionaire Naguib Sawiris’ Weather Investments vehicle and owner of Orascom.

VimpelCom, Weather merge to create new telco giant

Russia’s second biggest operator, VimpelCom, has merged with Egypt-based Orascom Telecom and investment vehicle Weather Investments, creating the world’s fifth largest mobile telecommunications carrier by subscribers.

Dominican Republic gets more WiMAX options

Dominican broadband internet and pay TV provider Wind Telecom said Tuesday it has tapped Samsung to deliver a mobile WiMAX network in the Caribbean country. The Dominican Republic shares the small Caribbean island of Hispaniola with Haiti.

Orascom reshuffles top brass

Egyptian carrier Orascom Telecom announced a shake up of its leadership team, promoting chief operating officer Khaled Bichara to the position of group chief executive officer.