$11.5bn bid for TDC

Group bear hug

TDC could be about to become the latest operator to be snapped up after a group of businesses offered almost $11.5bn (£6.7bn) for the Danish telco.

The FT reports that a group comprising Apax, Blackstone, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, Permira and Providence have all chipped in to make the bid although a rival group of investors is also understood to be preparing a bid too.

Speculation that TDC could be the target of a takeover has been circulating for some time now.

In April the operator was linked to an approach by UK telco Colt and an un-named international group of investors.

TDC is active in central and northern Europe with operations in Sweden, Austria and the Middle East, among others.

A year ago TDC - previously Tele Danmark - announced it was buying Swedish IP and business telecoms outfit Song for $552m. Song provides businesses with IP and data services, and operates in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden.

In the UK, it is behind no-frills discount cellco easyMobile which has recently expanded its operation into The Netherlands and Germany. ®