Orange reportedly in talks with Bouygues for TF1 and telecom unit

Bouygues Telecom

French conglomerate Bouygues has said it has “no plan to exit the telecom and TV sectors and reaffirms its long-term commitment to these two industries” in response to reports that Orange is in talks to acquire its service provider arm Bouygues Telecom and media assets.

Bloomberg reported yesterday that Orange was in early-stage talks to acquire Bouygues Telecom and Bouygues’ 44% stake in French commercial broadcaster TF1, citing unnamed sources.

According to Bloomberg, Orange is mulling several possibilities in including one that could see Bouygues retain a minority stake in the combined media and telecom businesses.

Both Orange and Bouygues have been hit by price competition in the mobile market. Bouygues earlier this year rejected an approach by Numericable-SFR for its telecoms unit.

Any deal between the Orange and Bouygues would be expected to face significant regulatory hurdles that could see it forced, for example, to dismantle Bouygues Telecom.