Iliad plans to buy Poland’s Play in $4.15 bln deal

Iliad plans to acquire Polish mobile phone operator Play in a 3.5 billion euros ($4.15 billion) deal, the French telecoms group said on Monday, adding that it has secured a deal to buy 40% of the firm’s capital from key shareholders.

Iliad said in a statement it would launch a public offer at 39 zlotys per share, a 38.8% premium to Play stock’s closing price, valuing the Polish company at 2.2 billion euros ($2.61 billion).
Adding Play’s 15 million subscribers, the combined group would enjoy a strong base of 41 million subscribers in France, Poland and Italy.

Iliad said the deal was in the interest of its shareholders as it represents a unique opportunity to enter a major market that is still growing.

It said the deal will be earnings-accretive from the first year itself and said the acquisition will be financed by debt and cash. Reuters