German internet and mobile provider Freenet says it is talking to private equity firm Permira about buying its rival Debitel. If the talks are successful, Freenet would take over the Debitel group including its debt and grant Debitel shareholders a stake of 24.9 percent in Freenet, said Freenet in a statement. The operator said it would also offer a cash consideration, partly or wholly financed by a vendor loan. Any deal would have to be approved by both company boards and the German competition authorities and was also dependent on an agreement being reached with Debitel's bankers.
