We value our assets to 10 billion approximately

The two main Russian telecoms groups are seeking Western partners. The first Alfa is (which the telecoms industry is called Altimo), Sistema. Both belong to oligarchs: Mikhail Fridman first, Vladimir Evtushenkov on the second. Each thinks to its Russian assets a Western operator, a joint subsidiary, either against a share of the capital of the partner.

"Altimo is in preliminary discussions with all the major mobile operators in Europe, explains his Vice President, Kirill Babaev." We are choosing a partner. We are not operators ourselves, we do not have this experience, but we bring our experience in emerging markets. We value our assets to $ 10 billion approximately. We have just opened an Office in London and conducted presentations of our society in London, Paris (Editor's Note: on June 26), Oslo... We do not want to buy assets in Europe of the West, but rather in emerging countries: India, Viet Nam, Indonesia...

The Financial Director of Altimo, Roger de Bazelaire (a former France Telecom), had stated on 24 October to the Bloomberg Agency hoped to reach agreement with a partner "by 12 to 18 months." He said study two options: "A true merger" with a size operator average; either a joint subsidiary with a major operator, who would then introduced on the stock exchange. The pattern of Altimo had indicated a few days earlier to "vedomosti" want to at least 20 of the new set.

Specifically, Roger de Bazelaire assured discuss with France Telecom, Vodafone and Telefonica. The French operator refuses to comment, while his British counterpart denied any "pending discussion" with Altimo. Note that the reputation of Altimo suffers from its conflict with Norwegian Telenor around their common Vimpelcom subsidiary.

Strategic interests

At the same time, the "Financial Times" stated that the other great Russian actor of the sector, Sistema, wanted to exchange assets Telecom from 10 to 20 of Deutsche Telekom. The subject would have approached the 10 October, at the Summit of Dresden, where Vladimir Evtushenkov was part of the Russian delegation. The newspaper added that the offer had been rejected by the operator and the German State (its shareholder at 32), for that strategic as well political reasons. Berlin said that Sistema had not formulated an official offer, and denied that the subject has been discussed in Dresden. In addition, the transfer of control of the Sistema Telecom to a Western operator could raise the opposition of the Kremlin, which considers strategic telecoms, said a manager of Sistema to Reuters.

Note that Deutsche Telekom and Sistema have long been partners in the Russian mobile operator MTS, which German came out a year ago. Moreover, Sistema has appointed last year as Administrator Executive Ron Sommer, former boss of the German operator. Finally, unlike Altimo, Sistema has already set foot in Western Europe by purchasing, for 30 million euros, 66 of Wavecrest (British operator specializing in the sale to the operators) and, for 120 million euros, 51 of Intracom Telecom (Greek telecoms manufacturer). Through its subsidiary Comstar, he comes to buy 51 of Hellas On Line (Greek fixed operator).