Vienna International Media Industry News

Read the latest headlines about developments in the international media industry in Vienna and Austria

Merger Hutchison 3G-Orange: EU Still Sceptical

EU Commissioner Joaqin Almunia expresses his concerns on the merger. “The number of operators would go down to three from four in Austria.” He says.

October 2, 2012

Telekom Austria Aims to Expand in Southeastern Europe

Despite the decreasing sales and earnings, Telekom Austria sees substantial growth opportunities in the SEE region. Regarding the earnings situation, Ametsreiter expects a trend reversal.

September 28, 2012

Telekom Austria: Acquisition of „Yesss!“ Uncertain

In an interview with „börseexpress“, Telekom Austria´s CFO Hans Tschuden explains that the takeover of Orange´s discount brand “Yesss!” must be re-considered.

September 27, 2012

Hutchison 3G: No Further Concessions

The Austrian subsidiary of the Hong Kong-based telecommunication group is not ready to make further concessions to the EU-Commission. For the takeover target Orange, this may cause substantial problems.

September 25, 2012

Slim Now Officially Core Shareholder of Telekom Austria

América Móvil Holds Directly and Indirectly 22.76% of Total Shares of Telekom Austria AG. The seller, the Austrian investor Ronny Pecik has no shares in Telekom Austria anymore.

September 25, 2012

Hutchison: Market Share of 30% until 2015

Hutchison Austria, the smallest telecommunication supplier in Austria, wants to become a hard competitor for the market leader Telekom Austria.

September 24, 2012

Telekom Austria: Drastic Dividend Cut

Telekom Austria Group Cuts its Dividend to € 0.05 for the Years 2012 and 2013. Last year, the dividend came at € 0.38.

September 24, 2012

Merger of Hutchison and Orange Still Uncertain

The takeover of Austrian telecommunication operator Orange by the Hong Kong based Hutchison faces legal problems.

September 21, 2012

EU Against Orange-Takeover

The Commission of the European Union does not allow Hutchison Austria to take over its competitor Orange for the time being.

September 13, 2012

Good Prospects for Orange-Takeover

The Austrian subsidiary of Hong Kong-based Hutchison will be allowed to acquire its competitor Orange, insiders say. The requirements are already fulfilled.

September 11, 2012

Czech Republic: No VAT Increase

The governing coalition failed in seeking approval by the parliament. In order to lower the budget deficit, the government intended to lift the VAT rates.

September 7, 2012

Telekom Austria Considers Partnership With Dutch KPN

At the beginning of December, Telekom Austria´s CEO Hannes Ametsreiter will present a common strategy with Dutch KPN. In meantime, synergies should be found.

August 29, 2012

Ametsreiter Calls for Activity

On the occasion of the Alpbach Forum 2012, Telekom Austria´s CEO Hannes Ametsreiter underlined the necessity of implementing reforms in Austria.

August 29, 2012

Slim to Enter Polish Telecom Firms

The Mexican investor, who recently acquired a 25.9% in Telekom Austria, wants to expand in Poland.

August 25, 2012

Telekom Austria Under Pressure

In Austria, the competitive pressure is growing. America Movil wants Telekom Austria to grow in the CESEE region.

August 17, 2012

Telekom: Growing Profit, Falling Revenues

Today, Telekom Austria Group announced its results for the second quarter ending June 30, 2012. Revenues and earnings were down, net income rose by 70.5%.

August 16, 2012

Telekom Austria: Rise in Earnings Predicted

Next Thursday, Telekom Austria will publish its results for the first six months of 2012. After a loss of € 59.0m, Telekom Austria´s net income should grow to € 76.1m.

August 14, 2012

T-Mobile: Earnings Down

The Austrian subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom announced its results of the first six months today. Sales were down by 2.6%.

August 9, 2012

Major Loan for Telekom Austria

Telekom Austria Group has closed a long-term € 735m syndicated credit facility. The loan will serve as liquidity reserve.

August 8, 2012

Telekom Austria Reconsiders Takover of „Yesss!“

The takeover of Hutchison/Orange and Telekom Austria/Yesss! becomes difficult. After the new EU requirements, Telekom Austria wants to examine the acquisition again.

August 4, 2012

Hutchison „3“ Records Substantial Customer Growth

The smallest telecommunication operator in Austria is growing significantly. Revenues were up by 9% in the first six months of 2012.

August 2, 2012

Telekom Austria: Authorities Approve Slim´s Entry

As expected, the public telecommunication authority TKK (Telecommunication Control Commission) approved the entry of the Mexican investor at Telekom Austria.

August 1, 2012

Despite Approved Orange Takeover: Deal is Uncertain

Canning Fok, CEO of the Hong Kong-based telecommunication operator is surprised of the announcement oft he authorities to examine the deal between Orange, Hutchison and Telekom Austria thoroughly.

July 30, 2012

Telekom Austria: Expansion Program to be Accelerated

After the entry of Carlos Slim, Telekom Austria hopes to get more funds for further expansion steps.

July 30, 2012

Slim´s Entry at Telekom Austria Approved

The Austrian Federal Competition Authority (BWB) has no objections against the acquisition by Carlos Slim.

July 27, 2012

Former AUA Board Member Bierwirth Enters T-Mobile

Andreas Bierwirth becomes CEO of T-Mobile Austria. The current CEO Robert Chvatal leaves the company for “personal reasons”.

July 25, 2012

EU Commission Approves Orange Takeover

The Hong Kong-based telecommunication company Hutchison is allowed to acquire the third-largest player in Austria.

July 23, 2012

Hutchison: „Telecommunication Network Overburdened in Two Years“

Jan Trionow, CEO of Hutchison Austria, appeals on authorities to approve the takeover of the competitor Orange. The Austrian telecommunication network will face capacity problems soon.

July 21, 2012

Hutchison´s CEO: „Austria Benefits from Merger“

Hutchison Austria still holds on the acquisition of the third largest telecommunication service supplier Orange.

July 19, 2012

America Movil Checks Telekom Austria

For one month, the Mexican investor Carlos Slim is the second-biggest investor at Telekom Austria. This week, he collected information about Telekom Austria´s technology and marketing strategy.

July 12, 2012

Croatia Abolishes Mobile Service Tax

Today, the Croatian Parliament decided to abolishes the 6% mobile service tax. For Telekom Austria, this means a substantial relief.

July 10, 2012

Telekom Austria Not Interested in Telecom Kosovo

The privatization of the state-owned Kosovan PTK has begun. Telekom Austria will not participated in the sales process.

July 5, 2012

Austrian Authorities Examine Slim´s Entry at Telekom

After the acquisition of Ronny Pecik´s stakes in Telekom Austria, the Mexican investor will hold 26%. The Austrian Federal Competition Authority (BWB) examines until the end of July.

July 3, 2012

Orange Sale: EU Commission is Concerned too

After the Austrian Federal Competition Authority (BWB) expressed its concerns about the acquisition of Orange by Hutchison Austria, the EU Commission announces to deepen its examination.

June 29, 2012

Orange Deal: „Federal Competition Authority is Ignorant“

The Austrian Federal Competition Authority (BWB) has to examine the takeover of Orange by Hutchison Austria thoroughly. The patience of all parties is limited.

June 28, 2012

Telekom Austria: Pecik Achieved Sale Proceeds of € 882m

The Austrian investor sold his 21.0% share in Telekom Austria to Carlos Slim. The share price was € 9.50.

June 25, 2012

Orange: Takeover Is Questionable

The takeover of the third-biggest telecommunication operator in Austria by the Hong Kong-based Hutchison may fail.

June 22, 2012

Telekom Austria: Slim Expected to Invest Further

The Mexican investor controls about 26.9% of Telekom Austria´s shares. An increase of up to 50% is possible.

June 21, 2012

Slim Officially Holds 9.89% in Telekom Austria

Carlos Slim, who will buy Pecik´s shareholding in Telekom Austria, already exceeded the 5.0% threshold substantially. Slim will become Telekom´s second largest shareholder.

June 16, 2012

Orange Takeover to be Postponed

The Commission of the EU identified several shortcomings in the takeover of Orange by the Hong Kong based Hutchison.

June 15, 2012

Slim Becomes Major Shareholder at Telekom Austria

The Austrian investor Ronny Pecik sells his shares to the Mexican Carlos Slim. The main shareholder ÖIAG welcomes this step.

June 15, 2012

New Top Executive at Telekom Austria

Roland Haidner takes over as Director of Telekom Austria´s M&A Department.

June 11, 2012

Slim to Enter Telekom Austria

The world´s richest man, the Mexican investor Carlos Slim is said to own a 4.0% stake in Telekom Austria and to buy Pecik´s stake for € 9.5 per share.

June 5, 2012

Pecik Finds New Partner

The Austrian investor and second-largest shareholder of Telekom Austria is said to cooperate with a Russian billionaire.

June 1, 2012

Telekom Austria Files for „Yesss!“ Takeover

Telekom Austria Group files with the Austrian Federal Competition Authority the notification for the proposed acquisition of Yesss!

May 31, 2012

Attacks Against ÖIAG, Appeal on Government

The Austrian Chamber of Labor (AK) says that Telekom Austria´s main shareholder ÖIAG has failed. The works council fears a slow, but steady privatization.

May 26, 2012

Sawiris Threatens ÖIAG with Slim

The new shareholder at Telekom Austria Naguib Sawiris announced to sell his stake to the Mexican investor Carlos Slim if the industrial holding ÖIAG does not act cooperatively.

May 24, 2012

Pecik Becomes Member of Telekom Austria´s Supervisory Board

The Austrian investor, who holds a 21.5% stake in Telekom Austria together with his partner Naguib Sawiris, was elected as new supervisory board member. Sawiris was no candidate.

May 23, 2012

Green Party: “Telekom Austria was the Cash Cow“

Gabriela Moser (Green Party) calls the Austrian government to implement a telecommunication strategy. Under the ÖVP-FPÖ government, Telekom Austria was abused as “cash cow”, Moser says.

May 23, 2012

“Telekom Austria May Become Second AUA“

The head of the Austrian investor´s association (IVA) Wilhelm Rasinger fiercely criticizes Telekom Austria´s core shareholder ÖIAG.

May 22, 2012