BC Partners-owned United Group buys Bulgaria's Vivacom

News General Bulgaria 8 NOV 2019
BC Partners-owned United Group buys Bulgaria's Vivacom

Vivacom confirmed a deal to be acquired by United Group, in a transaction expected to close in Q2 2020, subject to antitrust approvals. The acquisition will be financed through a combination of new debt and cash on hand at United Group. Further financial details were not disclosed.

This acquisition marks the second transaction since New York and London headquartered investment firm BC Partners’ March 2019 acquisition of United Group. United Group already operates in six countries in the region, offering mobile and fixed services as well as TV.

Vivacom says it provides services to over 1.8 million unique customers. The company provides advanced services including fibre broadband, mobile communications and digital TV to private and commercial customers.

Categories:

General

Companies:

Vivacom

Countries:

Bulgaria

Tags:

M&A buyouts & divestments

Related Articles

BULGARIA 7 DEC 2021

Vivacom expands coverage in Veliko Tarnovo region with new acquisition

Bulgarian operator Vivacom is expanding its coverage in the Veliko Tarnovo region by acquiring 100 percent of the share capital of Telnet, an operator with a well-developed network and distribution in the region. As part of its strategy to offer access to high-quality fixed services to more users, Vivacom continues to expand its coverage in Veliko Tarnovo, Gorna Oryahovitsa, Pavlikeni, Sevlievo and Byala, as well as to most settlements in region. 

HUNGARY 29 DEC 2020

United Group to acquire Bulgarian broadcaster Nova from Advance Media Group

United Group has reached an agreement to acquire Bulgaria's largest multi-platform media company, Nova Broadcasting Group, from Advance Media Group for an undisclosed sum. This extends United's strategy to bring together telecom operators and broadcasters in its southeast Europe footprint. United acquired earlier this year Vivacom, the largest integrated telecom operator in Bulgaria. 

BULGARIA 31 JUL 2020

Vivacom becomes part of United Group

United Group completed its acquisition of Vivacom. This follows the approval of the deal by the European Commission in April and the signing of the agreement in November 2019, when United Group won the tender to acquire telecommunications company in Bulgaria. This acquisition marks the latest milestone in United Group's growth strategy, following the acquisition of Tele 2 Croatia earlier in 2020, as well as forthcoming completion of the acquisition of Greece's pay TV, telecom and internet provider Forthnet.

BULGARIA 24 JUN 2020

A1 Bulgaria expands optical network to Blagoevgrad, Ljubimec

A1 Bulgaria expanded its optical network to Blagoevgrad and Lubimec. The interactive television A1 Xplore TV and fixed internet from A1 are already available to nearly 1.6 mln households in over 200 settlements in Bulgaria. Earlier in June, A1's optical network spread to other eight settlements, Pernik, Vratsa, Harmanli, Sevlievo, Radnovo, Banka, Sennik and Gradnica. 

ROMANIA 25 NOV 2019

United Group interested in buying Telekom Romania - report

The United Group communications group, controlled by the US-British investment fund BC Partners, has joined the data room for investors interested in the acquisition of Telekom Romania, according to local paper Ziarul Financiar citing market sources. The United Group recently agreed the takeover of Vivacom, Bulgaria's largest telecom operator for EUR 1.2 billion, and owns other cable operators throughout the Balkans region. 

BULGARIA 22 OCT 2019

Empreno warns Vivacom's potential buyer over legal action

Empreno, the owner of 43.3 percent in the former sole parent of Bulgarian operator Vivacom, V2 Investment, warned the potential buyer of Vivacom, United Group and United Group's controlling shareholder BC Partners, that the sale of Vivacom by Russian state-owned bank VTB is a final stage in a fraudulent scheme, which is subject to ongoing legal proceedings in courts in the UK, Luxembourg and the US. The sale of Vivacom to United Group was reported by the Financial Times.

BULGARIA 18 OCT 2019

United Group in talks to buy Bulgaria's Vivacom - report

BC Partners-owned Balkan telecoms and media company United Group is in talks to acquire Bulgaria's Vivacom, according to Reuters citing two sources familiar with the matter. The operator was put up for sale in July by Vivacom's main shareholder Bulgarian businessman Spas Roussev and the London arm of Russian bank VTB, which together control the company. United Group's offer was near Vivacom's enterprise value of over EUR 1.2 billion, the sources said. The Bulgarian company has a debt of EUR 0.6 billion.

BULGARIA 2 OCT 2019

Vivacom revamps online store

Vivacom said it improved its online store with the addition of new sections. The non-stop shop allows customers to view the detailed presentation of available devices and makes their choices easier. Visitors have the option to buy a device with or without a tariff plan and may buy more than one device or service with a single order. There is also an option to return bought devices within 14 days from their purchase.

BULGARIA 1 OCT 2019

United Group and Providence bid for Bulgaria's Vivacom - report

United Group, owned by BC Partners and KKR, and Providence Equity Partners, have launched indicative bids for Bulgaria's largest telecom company Vivacom and are conducting due diligence, two sources with direct knowledge of the situation told the Financial Times. Vivacom was put up for sale in July by Bulgarian businessman Spas Roussev and the London arm of Russian bank VTB, which together took control of the company, after Lazard was appointed to find a buyer. United Group has bid EUR 1.1 billion, while Pr

BULGARIA 12 AUG 2019

Vivacom claims best mobile coverage in Bulgaria

Vivacom said Ookla found its mobile network has the best coverage in the country. The results are based on an Ookla analysis based on data from Ookla's Speedtest Intelligence for the first half. Vivacom scores the highest in comparison to other mobile network tests performed by users with the Ookla Speedtest application nationwide.

BULGARIA 10 JUL 2019

Vivacom goes on sale, could be worth about EUR 1.2 billion - report

Bulgarian telecoms operator Vivacom has been put up for sale with Lazards appointed as broker, according to a report on the Financial Times website. A source told the FT that Vivacom could be worth about EUR 1.2 billion. Spas Roussev, who owns 46 percent of VivaCom, confirmed that it is for sale, it added.

Just In

19 DEC 16:42

SLT-Mobitel launches 5G network in Sri Lanka

19 DEC 16:19

Dialog Axiata launches 5G network, connects 1.5 million subscribers

19 DEC 15:56

UK govt to ban AI-enabled nudification apps to protect women, girls

19 DEC 15:42

3 UK launches last-minute Christmas sale

Commentary

13:56

Video market set for slower growth ahead

11:38

Netflix buys Warner Bros to deepen content catalogue

11:11

KPN's mixed performance in Q3 raises questions for strategy day

15:26

Stock markets breaking records but what happened to Odido's IPO plans?

Background

01:04

The week in telecom: Wi-Fi bolt-ons take off to boost broadband growth, video market works on consolidation

01:39

The week in telecom: Netflix wins bidding for Warner Bros, Apple poaches new execs, Samsung debuts trifold

13:51

Proximus vs. Telenet: Proximus performs better in Q3 while Telenet uses up cash

14:16

Proximus Domestic still struggling with low margins

Complete profile

Before downloading the whitepaper, we would like to ask you to complete your profile with company and position. After confirming you will receive the white paper.