Orange is in talks to buy AKTA, one of the largest cable operators in Romania.
Quoting several sources in the communications industry who wish to remain anonymous, ZF reports that the deal could be worth €150-200 million and completed by the end of this year.
It adds that the talks have been given impetus by the possible acquisition of UPC Romania by Vodafone.
At the same time, UPC Romania is also one of several other players that have held talks with AKTA, though Orange is understood to be the keenest on acquiring the cable operator. Should it do so, it would gain a fixed-line network providing TV, internet and telephony services to a combined total of around 700,000 subscribers.
AKTA, which encompasses the companies Digital Cable Systems (DCS) and AKTA Telekom, is also an MVNO, providing mobile services over Telekom Romania’s infrastructure. Although Orange is a key player in Romania’s electronic communications industry, it does not as yet have a fixed-line network.
AKTA is currently majority owned by the investment fund Pinebridge. As previously reported by Broadband TV News, Pinebridge has been interested in finding a buyer for AKTA for some time, and both UPC and Vodafone have previously expressed an interest.
