Vienna International Media Industry News
Read the latest headlines about developments in the international media industry in Vienna and Austria
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
Slim to Enter Telekom Austria?
The Mexican investor Carlos Slim, who is currently the world´s richest man, is said to acquire stakes in Telekom Austria.
May 18, 2012
Telekom Austria: Crucial Shareholder Meeting Comes Closer
On May 23, Telekom Austria holds its next annual general meeting. The new shareholder Ronny Pecik will enter the supervisory board. Conflicts are built in.
May 12, 2012
T-Mobile Austria Posts Stable Results
The Austrian subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom published its results for the first quarter of 2012. Revenues and EBITDA remained stable.
May 10, 2012
Slightly Decreasing Revenues at Telekom Austria
In the first quarter of 2012, the biggest Austrian telecommunication company achieved net income of € 46.9m. EBITDA was down by 8.9%.
May 10, 2012
Orange Takeover: T-Mobile Claims Legal Restraints
According to the Austrian subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom, the takeover of the third-largest Austrian telecommunication service provider would lead to a distortion of competitions.
May 8, 2012
ÖIAG Seeks For Partner Against Pecik
The Austrian Industrial Holding ÖIAG, which is still the largest shareholder of Telekom Austria, wants to gain a strategic investor.
May 5, 2012
Telekom Austria Interested in Kosovo´s PTK
The Austrian telecommunication service provider still shows interest in taking over the Kosovo-based telecommunication company PTK. Last year, the sale was stopped.
May 4, 2012
Telekom Austria: Supervisory Board Recommends Discharge
The Supervisory Board of Telekom Austria AG Recommends the Discharge of the Management Board and the Supervisory Board to the Annual General Meeting.
May 2, 2012
Pecik and Sawiris to Enter Telekom´s Supervisory Board
Together with his Egyptian partner, Ronny Pecik will enter Telekom Austria´s supervisory board. Pecik wants to stop the generous dividend policy.
April 28, 2012
Frequency Auction in Austria Postponed
Due to the delayed Orange deal, Austria´s telecommunication regulators postpone the decision on the wireless spectrum sale.
April 24, 2012
