PT set to ‘clean house’ by merging wireless, wireline units

As speculation over its future intensifies, Portugal Telecom (PT) is reportedly set to formally merge its wireless and wireline units into a single operating division. According to online journal Publico.pt, the Portuguese telco will fold its wireless arm (previously known as Telecomunicacoes Moveis Nacionais [TMN]) into its fixed line unit (formerly known as Portugal Telecom Comunicacoes [PTC]). Both divisions were re-branded as MEO in 1Q14, but have continued to be managed independently, posing problems as the telco tries to implement a cohesive quad-play strategy. Going forward, the MEO brand name will be preserved, and the merger is expected to be concluded on 1 January 2015.