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France: Latecomer Bouygues faces buyout deadline

By  |  March 3, 2014

Bidders for French telco SFR have only until this Wednesday nights to submit offers for the company, according to one source, placing pressure on wireless operator Bouygues as the company was late to the bidding race.

Reports say SFR owner Vivendi is looking to close the bidding this week as cable firm Numericable is slated to bid for the company. Earlier reports said Numericable may face fewer hurdles in acquiring the wireless company as a tie-up between a cable and wireless firm would not raise competition concerns.

A merger between France’s second- and third-largest wireless competitors, however, would likely lead to antitrust issues; such is the situation should Bouygues acquire SFR.

Vivdendi is reportedly not expecting a bid from fourth rival Iliad despite earlier reports the low-cost carrier was interested in SFR.

Full Content: Reuters

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