Altice released a statement saying Tofane, which is led by former Orange International Carriers’ CEO Alexandre Pébereau, has entered into exclusivity to buy its international voice carrier assets, grouped as Altice International Wholesale (AIW).
The three entities of AIW (SFR Carriers, Meo and Orange Dominicana) transported 14 billion minutes of international voice traffic in 2017. The deal, should it be completed, will see Tofane continue to remain as a strategic partner for Altice, it said.
Pébereau said:“Altice was seeking an acquirer that could not only deliver a technically and financially complete solution quickly, but a company that would be a trusted partner expert in delivering international communications services. This is precisely our strategic offer to operators. Royal KPN N.V. and Altice independently decided to proceed with Tofane Global as their trusted partner and signed the same week.
"Once all authorizations are received Tofane Global will become the third largest provider of voice and mobile data services in the world."
The announcement comes just days after Tofane Global agreed a deal to buy iBasis from Dutch telecoms operator KPN.
Together Altice International Wholesale and iBasis represent a turnover of more than €1.2 billion in a full year and transfer 34 billion minutes per year. However, iBasis has seen some decline. The US-based business saw sales decline by 30% in Q4 2017 and by 19% to €705 million for the whole of last year
Altice said in its statement: “Altice N.V. announces today it has entered into exclusivity with Tofane Global, a Paris-based telecommunications and digital player specializing in international carrier services, for the sale of its international wholesale voice carrier business in France, Portugal and the Dominican Republic.
“This transaction shows further execution of Altice's non-core asset disposal program to strengthen the company's long-term balance sheet position and focus on improving the operational and financial results of its key franchises.”
Pébereau, who led Orange International Carriers from 2009 to 2016. He has also served as managing director of Maroc Telecom and was formerly chairman of the ITW Founders’ Council.
