News
Sweden-based telco faces competition from Elisa, ICT investment firm Finda.
Telia Company’s Finnish unit Sonera on Tuesday became the third company to make an offer for local fixed-line operator Anvia Telecom, with a bid of €130 million.
Anvia Telecom’s broadband network passes 100,000 households across three cities – Vaasa, Seinäjoki and Kokkola – in the west of the country, as well as several small towns. In 2015, Anvia Telecom generated net sales of €63.5 million, while EBITDA came in at €15.2 million.
"Sonera is highly interested in pursuing the transaction and is ready to commit all necessary resources to carry out the process on an expedited basis," said Sonera CEO Valdur Laid, in a statement.
The telco faces stiff competition though.
In late May, Finnish operator Elisa – which already holds a 38.1% stake in Anvia Telecom’s parent company, making it the biggest single shareholder – agreed to acquire Anvia Telecom, plus Anvia’s ICT, hosting, TV, and Watson streaming video businesses for €107 million.
Anvia is due to vote on that offer at an extraordinary general meeting scheduled for 29 June.
In addition, local ICT investment firm Finda, which owns almost 50% of Finnish operator DNA, made a €120 million offer for Anvia Telecom last week.
Despite the heightened interest, according to a Reuters report on Tuesday, Anvia’s board still favours Elisa’s offer.
Meanwhile, in a separate announcement, Telia said it has sold its credit management services (CMS) arm Sergel to privately-owned bank Marginalen for 2.07 billion kronor (€222.13 million).
Telia in April launched a strategic review of Sergel, which handles credit checking, invoicing, debt collection and bad debt purchasing in the Nordics and Baltics.
"Telia Company is currently undergoing a great transformation. We are focusing on our core business and are looking for opportunities close to the core," said Telia CFO Christian Luiga, in a statement.
Following the sale, Sergel will continue to provide services to Telia.
"I am satisfied that through the partnership agreement we have secured a continued close collaboration between Sergel and Telia Company. I am confident that Marginalen will be a dedicated owner and provide Sergel and its employees with an excellent platform for future growth," Luiga said.
The transaction, which is subject to approval from relevant competition authorities, is due to close before the end of 2016.
