Maneuvers

Published: Sunday, June 21, 2015 - 12:42

Last Updated: Sunday, June 21, 2015 - 24:50

Telecom: SFR offers more than 10 billion euros to buy Bouygues

The group of Patrick Drahi Numericable-SFR had lodged a bid for its competitor Bouygues Telecom for more than 10 billion euros. The goal: to restructure the area around only three actors, that does not want to see happen the government.

"Time is not opportunistic reconciliations" warned Emmanuel Macron after the announcement of the operation conducted by Patrick Drahi (photo). © Philippe WOJAZER / Reuters

The sum is tidy. The Numericable, SFR group, led by Patrick Drahi, has filed a bid for its competitor Bouygues Telecom amounting to 10.1 billion euros, according to information revealed by the Journal du Dimanche on Sunday and confirmed by several sources . If successful, would become the first French SFR mobile operator and second largest player in the Internet access.

The offer food for thought shareholders and Martin Bouygues, who had refused an offer lower half (which is still five billion euros) last year. He stated that he expected an offer amounting to 11 billion, that seems to have heard Patrick Drahi has already tried several times to get hold of its competitor.

The offer is reflected: to avoid a situation too close to the monopoly, SFR and Orange and Free negotiated with the other two market players, they return to their side antennas (Free) and part of the employees of Bouygues (Orange). "Such an arrangement satisfies everyone. Numericable, SFR needs to have more customers on its network to absorb its fixed costs and Free must strengthen its mobile network," said one analyst quoted by Le Figaro .

However, the authorities take a dim eye this attempt to restructure a sector already repeatedly pinned to unlawful agreements on prices at the expense of consumers. To market -in which hammer substance- that "three is better," said Emmanuel Macron in person this Sunday with a warning.

"I say and repeat that consolidation is not desirable today (..). The employment, investment and the best service to consumers are priorities. The consequences of a consolidation are these negative ways , as demonstrated by the recent cases in Europe,"has held the Minister of Economy. Then added, "time is not opportunistic several reconciliations that may have an interest which is not found by the general interest".

According to the JDD, the supply of SFR would have been sent to Bouygues there ten days. Since, if the negotiations are going well and still continue this Sunday, a deadline appears to have been fixed since Bouygues Board of Directors was convened for Tuesday 23 to decide the fate of Bouygues Telecom.

Author: Writing FranceSoir.fr

Keywords:

SFR