BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

11/09/2007

Velcom is Telekom Austria's target, says paper

Mobile Digital Communications (MDC, Velcom) is the target for Telekom Austria's acquisition plans in Belarus, according to an unnamed telecoms expert cited in Austrian daily Die Presse. Austrian billionaire Martin Schlaff, with long-established business interests in eastern Europe, is rumoured to be involved in negotiations between MDC and Telekom Austria, according to the paper. Yesterday, Telekom Austria confirmed it is in talks on a potential acquisition in Belarus but did not give any additional details. MDC had 2.66 million mobile subscribers at the end of March 2007, giving it a 42.3% market share, behind market leader MTS Belarus. On 22 August 2007 100% of the previously state-run MDC's shares were reportedly bought by Cypriot firm Samauwi Brothers (SB) Telecom.

Source:

http://www.telegeography.com/cu/article.php?article_id=19603&email=text