Tele Columbus confirms it is weighing IPO

Tele Columbus’s Hanover HQ

German independent cable operator Tele Columbus has confirmed that it may launch an IPO, although a final decision on the company’s future course has yet to be taken.

Following the German Bundeskartellamt’s blocking of Tele Columbus’s acquisition by Kabel Deutschland last year, the smaller operator has reviewed its options, with a public offering under consideration.

“Given the recent media speculation, the company considers it appropriate to clarify its position at this time: Tele Columbus continually reviews its strategic options on how to position and finance the company in the medium to long term,” the company said.

“One option it is evaluating is whether an Initial Public Offering could be beneficial to the company and its stakeholders at some point in the future. No decision has been taken so far.”

Reuters reported last week that Tele Columbus had chosen Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan to prepare the ground for a stock marketing list later this year, having earlier reported that the operator had asked banks to pitch for a role in the listing.