The German mobile operator E-Plus has strenuously denied that Telefónica has approached it with regard to a merger. Despite ongoing speculation, the KPN-owned firm insists that no negotiations are taking place, although it admitted that there might be room for cooperation in areas such as network operations.
Thorsten Dirks, the head of E-Plus, did admit that there had, in the past, been talks with O2 with regard to a merger. "There have been talks about cooperation in the area of network operations some time ago," he added. "However, due to a turnaround at O2, negotiations have stopped," he said.
Regardless of this, the speculation continues that Telefónica might carry on pursuing E-Plus to strengthen its German mobile phone unit O2.
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