Tita ye not: UPC’s new asset may be small, but could reveal big strategy

Cableco UPC Romania has acquired Prahova County-based cable network operator Tita & Company (TCCOM) for a price between EUR 1.5 million–EUR2 million (USD1.7 million-2.3 million), reports Romanian business daily Ziarul Financiar (ZF). TCCOM operates in Mizil, Urlati and surrounding areas, serving roughly 15,000 TV and internet subscribers. Although small, the acquisition is significant in representing UPC Romania’s first local cableco takeover for a long period – reportedly over seven years – and is also evidence of parent group Liberty Global’s aggressive investment strategy to expand in markets across Europe. The newspaper notes that during UPC’s extended period of merger inactivity, its Romanian fixed broadband/pay-TV rivals – including RCS&RDS, Telekom Romania (formerly RomTelecom) plus affiliates and AKTA – have consolidated various local cablecos/telecoms providers.