Global telecom operators and investment bankers meet at mergers and acquisitions forum in London

Feb. 23, 2012 - PRLog -- London, 23 February 2012 – Global telecom operators are meeting with sector heads from leading investment banks in London on March 14 at a TMT M&A Forum assessing the returning appetite for mergers and acquisitions across global markets.

Daniel Ritz, Chief Strategy Officer of Etisalat Group, the UAE headquartered operator with operations in 18 countries, is among the speakers at the TMT M&A Forum, which gathers key industry players and advisers to assess investment opportunities and strategies. Also featured are speakers representing Batelco, Telenor, BT, Saudi Telecom, Vivendi, and sector heads from leading M&A advisers including Goldman Sachs, Citi, Macquarie and UBS.

“Telecoms M&A activity is increasing and it is significant that major operators such as
Etisalat are discussing acquisitions again,” said Dominic Lowndes, Editor of TMT Finance News and the event producer. Etisalat is keen to enter Libya, and it has made several moves lately that potentially increase the overall company’s capacity for expansion, including restructuring of operations through outsourcing and sale and leaseback deals, raising US$2 billion of debt and announcing their exit from India.”

“Several other telecom operators are also pursuing acquisitions, with Telenor increasing its stake in Vimplecom, which could lead to more investment, France Telecom acquiring Mobinil in Egypt, and Batelco, Sistema and Telia Sonera also linked to deals,” added Lowndes. “We are also seeing a realignment of portfolios in Europe, along with growing demand for investment in new technology and 4G licences, as the industry enters an exciting stage of transition.”

The TMT M&A Forum (www.tmtfinance.com/merger) gathers leading industry executives including CEOs, CSOs, CFOs and Heads of M&A, with investment bankers, private equity investors and specialist advisers to assess how transactions will drive change in telecoms, technology and media globally.  The programme comprises a series of panel discussions, keynote speeches and dedicated networking time.

Key sessions at this year’s event include the Global Telecom Strategy Round Table; The Race for Spectrum; M&A Advisers Panel; Infrastructure Ownership – Releasing value from towers and other assets; Investing in the Next Wave – What are the critical new technology opportunities? Controlling the customer interface; and How social media networks can boost profits for telecom operators.

For further details on programme timings go to www.tmtfinance.com/merger/programme

To find out more contact:  enquiries@tmtfinance.com