UPC Romania said in a press release Monday, dismissing rumors of a possible takeover of the cable company by RCS&RDS, that UPC holds no negotiations with RCS&RDS on this matter.
Financial daily Ziarul Financiar reported in February that RCS&RDS, controlled by businessman Zoltan Teszari, was interested in a takeover of UPC, owned by LIberty Global.
Last week, Competition Council president Bogdan Chiritoiu told MEDIAFAX the antitrust watchdog is not against a likely takeover of UPC by RCS&RDS.
Chiritoiu said the Competition Council held talks with both parties, but no official takeover notification was issued. He added discussions with the representatives of the two companies were only consultative and focused on the effects the takeover may have on the competitive market and on issues concerning market share.
If the two companies merged, the new entity would have about 4 million clients on the television segment, 1.7 million on the hard-line telephony segment, 1.4 million on the mobile telephony segment and 1.4 million internet service clients.
Their combined annual turnover would hit about $1 billion.
RCS&RDS started operations 15 years ago and is present in Romania, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Croatia and Serbia.
UPC Romania has been operating since 1992 and is part of UPC Broadband, the European division of leading international cable operator Liberty Global.