Deutsche Telekom (DT) may be interested in Cesky Telecom in the upcoming privatization, the WSJ speculates today. DT said that after reducing its debt it started looking in Eastern Europe for possible acquisitions. As DT owns 61% in the No. 2 mobile operator T-Mobile CR, it would be likely interested only into CT’s fixed-line business due to antimonopoly concerns (CT holds 100% in Eurotel, the No. 1) and it may thus bid together with a wireless competitor, such as Vodafone of Orange, the WSJ speculates. DT declined to comment on its intentions regarding CT, it however said that it is interested in acquiring an additional 39% stakes in T-Mobile CR.
Jan Hájek