Belgian full-service provider Telenet has confirmed it is in talks with Orange concerning potential network access on the VOO cable network, which the French telecoms group plans to acquire. The companies have reached a memorandum of understanding (MoU) which will structure further negotiations, Telenet said in a statement, adding it would not comment further pending their outcome.
Orange Belgium announced last December that it had reached a final agreement with publicly owned utility group Nethys to acquire 75% less one share of VOO, based on an enterprise value of EUR1.8 billion (USD1.78 billion). The deal would give Orange its own fixed network in the Wallonia region and part of Brussels, bolstering its strategy to provide customers with convergent fixed-mobile products.
EU antitrust regulators opened an in-depth investigation into the proposed transaction in July, warning the deal could significantly reduce competition in the south of the country. A final decision on the matter is expected by early December.