Ramford targets Bulgaria’s CableTel

According to a local report, Bulgaria’s leading MSO CableTel is a take-over target for Ramford Alliance Ltd. The UK-registered company also plans to acquire the radio and TV broadcaster Vicom Bulgaria. Significantly, Ramford has set three preconditions for the deal, two of which involve Vicom acquiring cable interests through a local company named Grelman. CableTel is currently majority owned by the US company CableTel International Corporation, formerly known as Greenbriar Corporation. The Association of Bulgarian Cable Operators (ABCO) is meanwhile reported to have said that cable TV subscription fees in the country will be increased from the beginning of this year. At the same time, the cost of triple play packages will fall and installation charges are likely to be waived. One of the main reasons for the hike in TV-only offers is a new rule that requires operators to reroute terrestrial cables through underground ducts in towns that have a population of over 10,000. Cable operators are also trying to offset the cost of recently adding such channels AXN and Fox Crime to their offers. Separately, it is reported that the incumbent Bulgarian telco BTC has now completed the digitalisation of 26 regional cities, with the two most recent – Varna and Vidin – costing Leva14 million (€7.21 million) to convert over a 12-month period. CD