A week ago we talked about VimpelCom’s plans to acquire Orascom-owner Weather Investment in a deal that would create the world’s fifth largest mobile operator group. It seems not everyone is digging the idea as VimpelCom’s management does.
Russia-based Alfa Group, VimpelCom’s largest investor, is suspicious about the Algiers government’s plan to nationalize Orascom’s Algerian mobile business, Djezzy, pointing it [plan] as something that could kill the deal.
Telenor on the other hand voiced concerns that the deal could provoke regulatory objections in Bangladesh and Pakistan, where both Telenor and Orascom have mobile businesses. The Norway-based carrier warned that if regulators did object, the Weather deal could fall through. Alternatively, Telenor proposed that VimpelCom doesn’t buy assets in countries where Telenor is already present.
So where this takes us? As far as I see, the deal will go through, it’s just a matter of fine-print, what will and what won’t be included. As soon as we hear something new from VimpelCom, we’ll definitely talk about it. After all, we’re talking about the creation of a major player in the years to come…
[Via: MobileBusinessBriefing]