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Parts of 3 for sale?

It is rumoured that the mobile operator 3 might come to sell its Italian business and perhaps also the British unit.


It is not the first time it has been said that the operator 3 is on its way to be sold. Earlier there have been rumours that the Chinese giant China Mobile would be interested in an acquisition.

This time it is Times Online that claims to know of Hutchinson Whampoa having sent out an information memorandum on 3 Italia, hoping to stir interest among potential buyers.

Hutchinson Whampoa is known to have tried to get rid of 25 percent of 3 Italia before. At that point, the market believed the price to be too high, and the attempt failed. The business then valued 3 Italia at 10 billion euros.

The site states that Deutsche Telekom and France Télécom might be interested in buying. It also means that a sale of 3 Italia would point to an imminent exit also from the British market.

All in all, Hutchinson Whampoa has about 16 billion subscribers around the world.

By: Jonas Kämpe

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About the editor
Consultant in business strategy and ITC. Covers internet and mobile media as writer and editor.

Jonas Kämpe