(Telecompaper) Bouygues Telecom's parent company issued a statement denying it was holding talks over a possible acquisition of a market rival. This was in response to information gathered by Bloomberg from unnamed sources regarding "early talks" over a possible bid for Altice's French assets between Bouygues and other investors, including private equity firm CVC Capital Partners. Altice told Bloomberg that SFR was one of its essential assets and a long-term project of the group.