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Telecom Italia considering Oi takeover bid - report
2014-09-17 08:30:00| Telecompaper Headlines
(Telecompaper) Telecom Italia is evaluating the possible acquisition of Brazilian operator Oi in a move to challenge local rival Telefonica, reports Bloomberg, citing unnamed sources close to the talks. No approach has yet been made but the Italian group is said to be speaking to advisors about using its local unit TIM Brasil to buy Oi, and thus strengthening its fixed-line network to sell broadband services after losing out to Telefonica in a bid to merge with another Brazilian operator, GVT. A takeover of Oi would be a way of countering an initiative by rivals America Movil, Telefonica and Oi itself to launch a BRL 30 billion bid for TIM Brasil, which recent reports in the Brazilian press have indicated could occur by 30 September. Any bid for Oi would have to take on the Brazilian operator's almost USD 20 billion in net debt, but TIM Brasil can afford a leveraged deal for Oi, partly financing it with its own stock, according to analysts cited in Bloomberg's report.
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Category:Telecommunications