European telecoms consolidation back in spotlight after US shows the way

摘要

Prospects for European telecoms consolidation got aboost after Deutsche Telekom (FRA:DTE) closed its USmerger, freeing it up for significant deal-making acrossthe region. But while the US is showing the path, regulatoryand other obstacles in Europe still dim the M&Aoutlook.Deutsche Telekom CEO Tim Hoettges told Bloomberghe will “work with verve on changing the regulatory andantitrust-law framework” to pave the way towards consolidationin Europe, after recently clearing antitrust hurdlesfor is US$26.5bn merger with Sprint (NYSE:S).