(Telecompaper) UK mobile operator EE's joint shareholders, Orange and Deutsche Telekom, are holding preliminary talks with BT, Orange confirmed. The announcement comes after BT said it was in discussions with Telefonica UK (O2) and another unnamed company about possibly buying a mobile operator. Describing the talks with BT as "highly preliminary exploratory discussions", Orange said it and Deutsche Telekom regularly analyse the development of the market in which EE operates, evaluating various strategic options which have the potential to create value for EE's shareholders and to strengthen the operator's market position. Orange added that it was too early to state whether any transaction may occur and that it and Deutsche Telekom will make further announcements if and when appropriate.