DUSSELDORF, Germany-Mannesmann AG, Olivetti and Bell Atlantic International have acquired Swedish telecom operator Telia’s 9.66 percent ownership in Monitel Sistemi Radiocellulari, which owns 6.8 percent of Italian mobile operator Omnitel Pronto Italia.
Mannesmann and Olivetti, through their joint venture company, OliMan, will buy two-thirds of Telia’s stake for about $500 million. Bell Atlantic said it will purchase an additional 2.26 percent of Omnitel from Telia for about $163 million. Mannesman’s indirect stake in Omnitel, via OliMan and Pronto Italia, will amount to 18.3 percent, said Mannesman. Bell Atlantic said it will own 19.7 percent when the transaction is completed.
