A report suggests that French-based mobile operator\u00a0Orange SA, has expressed interest in buying some of Vodafone\u2019s African operations – which would include\u00a0Vodacom, its South African subsidiary.<\/p>\n
This is a according to Bloomberg, which cites “a\u00a0person familiar with the matter”. The news organisation said that a\u00a0representative for Orange declined to comment.<\/p>\n
Vodacom is 65% owned by the Vodafone group.<\/p>\n
The french firm already has a presence in South Africa, having launched\u00a0Orange Horizons as a subsidiary dedicated to seeking out new business opportunities, in January.<\/p>\n
The group already sells products in SA through its website, and has a business unit\u00a0serving high\u00a0profile\u00a0companies\u00a0in the mining, and\u00a0petroleum\u00a0industry.<\/p>\n
Previously, Orange has spoken about its intention to become a Mobile Virtual Network Operator\u00a0<\/em>(MVNO) in South Africa, but has been critical of a lack of legislation covering that sector of the industry.<\/p>\n In a recent interview with BusinessTech, Orange Horizons CEO,\u00a0S\u00e9bastien Crozier<\/a>\u00a0said that, given the frequency, \u201cwe could enter the market as a real player,\u201d but only through an agreement with an existing player to be on its network.<\/p>\n China Mobile in SA?<\/strong><\/p>\n According to Bloomberg, American telecommunications firm\u00a0AT&T is readying for a\u00a0potential takeover of Vodacom’s parent\u00a0company, Vodafone in 2014, again citing “people familiar with the situation”.<\/p>\n The international news service said that\u00a0AT&T would be less interested in Vodafone’s African assets, which include\u00a0operations in Egypt, Kenya, and Ghana.<\/p>\n Bloomberg said that one potential strategy could involve\u00a0spinning off most of the UK based operator’s emerging-market assets into a new entity – with the likes of America Movil, the\u00a0Mexican telecommunication\u00a0company\u00a0owned by\u00a0Carlos Slim, or China Mobile as potential\u00a0suitors, according to the source.<\/p>\n Orange a fifth mobile operator in SA?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Neotel spectrum belongs to the state<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Orange extends Nashua Mobile partnership<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\nMore on Orange Horizons<\/h3>\n