Telenor Group linked to possible SMC mobile JV

In the wake of the recent breakdown of talks between Australian telco Telstra and Philippines-based beer and food conglomerate San Miguel Corp (SMC) over a Filipino mobile joint venture (JV), local press speculation suggests that Norway-based multinational Telenor Group is eager to seek a deal to become SMC’s new foreign partner. SMC president Ramon S. Ang told the Inquirer newspaper that Telenor Group had been in contact, but cooled expectations when he noted that he was still ‘thinking about it’, suggesting that despite its lack of experience the conglomerate could still look to go it alone. Telenor, which boasts a 160 years of history in the market, is said to been keen on developing its Asian footprint; it currently has business interests in Malaysia, Thailand, India, Pakistan, Myanmar and Bangladesh.