The government analyzes the purchase attempt of SFR. The Minister of Industry, Marc Ferracci, said Monday that there were “multiple options related to the capital developments of SFR and the state looks at them with the concern of protecting the consumer,” in BFM business.
SFR owner, Patrick Drahi, has begun discussions with their competitors, Bouygues Telecom, Free and Orange, to sell their activities. This complex operation would lead to a return from the telecommunications sector to three operators in France. Marc Ferracci believes that “consumer protection and the investment capacity of the operators” must be found “that is found”, while a concentration gives rise to the increase in the price of mobile plans.
President of Orange favorable to telecommunications consolidation
This is the first time that the Government expresses the consolidation of the telecommunications sector around the possible acquisition of SFR by its competitors. On Friday, Orange President Jacques Aschenbroich requested a telecommunications consolidation in France.
The acquisition of SFR could also lead to an exchange of telecommunications, fixed and mobile infrastructure, among its three competitors. At this point, the Industry Minister insists on the need to “protect critical infrastructure for our sovereignty,” he added.
The Government is dedicated to a movement of recovery of telecommunications infrastructure. The State will invest 717 million euros to take 30% of the capital of ETELSAT, telecommunications satellite operator. He also bought ASN, who displays submarine telecommunications cables.
Source: BFM TV
