STOCKHOLM, Sweden—Several groups are lining up to bid for Italian company Blu, the country’s smallest mobile operator.
Sweden’s Tele2 AB partnered with Star Capital Partners and has made an offer to purchase Blu. The company said it will serve as a technical and industrial partner, but will not make a significant investment. Tele2 plans to become a mobile virtual network operator on the Blu network.
Tele2 has mobile and MVNO operations in several European countries.
In addition, international press reports state Anthill, an Italian-based investment consortium, plans to bid for Blu. Italian group E-Do is also expected to make an offer, reports said.
Blu, controlled by the Benetton family, has been seeking a buyer for some time. The GSM 1800 MHz license holder does not hold a third-generation license. A plan announced earlier this month to split the company’s assets among Italy’s other four mobile operators is not likely to pass competition regulations.
