Telecommunications giant e& has completed a landmark acquisition of a controlling stake in the service and infrastructure companies of PPF Telecom Group across Bulgaria, Hungary, Serbia, and Slovakia. The deal sees e& take a majority stake, acquiring 50% plus one economic share, in PPF Telecom. This strategic move significantly enhances e&’s global presence, expanding its reach to 38 countries and marking a new chapter in its international growth.
The acquisition, completed after more than a year of negotiations, is expected to reshape the telecom landscape in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), providing over 10 million customers across the region with access to cutting-edge technology and advanced digital services. The partnership aims to drive digital growth, empower businesses, and offer enhanced services to communities across the four countries.
Strength in Partnership
The partnership between e& and PPF Telecom brings together the strengths of both companies. e&’s extensive global expertise, digital capabilities, and reach across the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, combined with PPF Telecom’s deep regional knowledge and history of operational excellence, will create a platform for future growth and innovation in the CEE region.
Hatem Dowidar, Group CEO of e&, commented on the deal: “This transaction is a significant milestone in e&’s journey, extending our telecom operations to 20 countries and further strengthening our presence globally. PPF Telecom’s expertise in these dynamic markets, combined with e&’s global resources, will drive value creation and innovation for our customers.”
Dowidar also welcomed Balesh Sharma, CEO of PPF Telecom, and his management team to the e& family. Their knowledge of the local markets will be instrumental in driving the success of the partnership and delivering value to customers.
Driving Innovation and Efficiency
The unique asset separation model employed by PPF Telecom allows the company to focus on both service and infrastructure, optimising resource allocation and improving operational efficiency. This model is expected to enhance performance in both areas, enabling the partnership to deliver high-quality services while maintaining flexibility in an increasingly competitive market.
Khalifa Al Shamsi, CEO of e& International, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership’s potential: “This collaboration opens new opportunities for innovation, particularly in areas such as IoT, advanced digital services, and next-generation networks. Together, we will drive operational efficiency and accelerate the rollout of these services to millions of customers.”
Jiří Šmejc, CEO of PPF, also welcomed the partnership, highlighting the opportunities for value creation in the region’s fast-growing telecom markets. He emphasised that PPF’s telecom assets in the Czech Republic will remain wholly owned by PPF, outside of the joint venture.
A Future-Focused Partnership
Balesh Sharma, CEO of PPF Telecom, echoed the importance of the deal, stating that the partnership will bring improved services to customers, including better international roaming offers and access to e&’s suite of products. He also highlighted the opportunities for employees, with new career development and learning possibilities as part of a global network.
The deal is set to deliver significant operational synergies, enhancing network operations, procurement, and customer service while expanding B2B and IoT solutions. The partnership will operate as a standalone entity, ensuring continuity for employees and customers while driving growth and innovation across the region. To learn more about e&, visit eand.com.
