TalkTalk reviews options after Vodafone approach

[Media Boy UK]

Financial Times is reporting "TalkTalk reviews options after Vodafone approach"

https://www.ft.com/content/c9aa5fb5-...d-36a78383d379

Post moved to appropriate area

A bit more detail from behind the paywall

TalkTalk has asked investment bank Lazard to review its options after several groups, including Vodafone, approached the UK broadband company about potential deals, according to people briefed on the matter.

British telecoms executives have long called for greater consolidation in the domestic broadband market, claiming that the array of companies supplying mobile and internet contracts has created excess competition, driving down prices and stifling investment.

The sector has suffered from weak returns and falling valuations in recent years, as highly competitive markets and regulatory pressures led to top-line pressure and earnings decreases.

Vodafone, the fifth-largest player in the UK broadband market, has looked at the possibility of doing a deal with TalkTalk multiple times in the past but has tripped up over questions around the value of the business, according to people with direct knowledge of the matter.

TalkTalk was taken private just 16 months ago by Toscafund, an asset manager run by the Brexit-supporting Tory donor Martin Hughes, for 97p per share, valuing the company at £2bn including debt.

The internet company was advised by its independent directors in 2020 to accept the Toscafund bid on the grounds that TalkTalk would need significant investment in order to scale, which it would be difficult to achieve if it remained publicly listed.

Originally Posted by Media Boy UK

Financial Times is reporting "TalkTalk reviews options after Vodafone approach"

https://www.ft.com/content/c9aa5fb5-...d-36a78383d379

Useless link, requires subscription.

[Media Boy UK]

Vodafone and Sky reportedly looking at TalkTalk acquisition

https://www.digitaltveurope.com/2022...k-acquisition/

NO subscription requires.

[Rillington]

It would be a good fit for Vodafone as it would give them a television platform.

[Gavin-D]

TalkTalk are facing an uncertain future amid rising debt and falling customer numbers

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business...-crunch-looms/

[Rillington]

So TalkTalk is also losing customers. I presume that their entire customer facing operation remains offshored, and maybe this is one reason why people are leaving them.

I left Talk Talk because I wanted a fixed IP, and to get one they wanted me to renew for a new 24 month contract as a business customer.I wasnt prepared to do that, so I moved my FTTP to Aquiss (discount + 12 month contract). I spoke to their (TT) CS in the summer (different issue) and they didnt sound offshore to me (if they were, they spoke very clear English).

Also, I was only 13 months into an 18 month contract, so I expected to pay a fee to leave. The opposite happened, they refunded me for the last month I'd payed for !