Earlier this week BT announced it had been contacted by shareholders in two UK mobile network operators about a possible transaction in which BT could acquire their UK mobile business. It revealed one of those companies was O2 but didn’t name the second network.
Deutsche Telekom and Orange, which jointly own UK network EE, have now confirmed they are the other network having talks with BT.
They’ve issued a statement that says:
Deutsche Telekom AG and Orange SA, the joint shareholders of EE Ltd, regularly analyse the development of the market in which EE operates, evaluating various strategic options which have the potential to create value for EE's shareholders and strengthen the market position of EE.
As one of these options, Deutsche Telekom AG and Orange SA are having highly preliminary exploratory discussions with British Telecom, although it is too early to state whether any transaction may occur. Deutsche Telekom and Orange will make further announcements if and when appropriate