Deutsche Telekom is mulling two transactions in Eastern Europe in a bid to strengthen its position in the region, writes Wall Street Journal citing several people familiar with the matter. The company is having talks to acquire GTS Central Europe, a provider of integrated telecommunications products and data centre services throughout Central and Eastern Europe, for about EUR 600 million (USD 775.9 million), three people familiar with the transaction said. Deutsche Telekom could also be pressed to purchase the outstanding 40 percent stake of its T-Mobile Czech Republic unit that was recently put up for sale by private equity firm Mid Europa Partners, one of the people said.
A spokesman for Deutsche Telekom declined to comment. Mid Europa Partners was not available for comment. The two deals are part of the company's clean-up transactions plan, which is being implemented to streamline certain operations and fortify its position in core markets. Deutsche Telekom would prefer to see another financial investor take Mid Europa Partners' stake in T-Mobile Czech Republic. However, should an unwanted suitor show up, the company is ready to buy the stake, these people say.
