The Russian cable operator Multiregion is reported to be a take-over target for Sistema-backed MTS.
According to Kommersant, talks between the two parties are taking place, with other prospective buyers also in the frame.
Multiregion was established in 2004 and provides cable and broadband internet services in 37 cities using the brand name Multineks. Data published by iKS-Consulting indicates that it had a 4.5% share of the pay-TV and 2.3% of the broadband markets in Russia in 2009.
Multiregion was apparently on the market for $300 million (€221.9 million) in 2007 but only attracted bids in the range of $150-180 million.
Taking over Multiregion would make good business sense for MTS as there is little overlap between Multiregion’s networks and those operated by MTS’s sister company Comstar-UTS.
