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Telefonica open to discuss potential fiber deal with Vodafone in Spain

Telefonica open to discuss potential fiber deal with Vodafone in Spain
The logo of Telefonica is pictured at the GSMA’s 2023 Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain February 28, 2023. REUTERS/Nacho Doce

Βy Inti Landauro

MADRID (Reuters) – Spanish telecom firm Telefonica is open to discussing potential partnership on fiber networks in Spain with rival Vodafone, a company top official said on Thursday.

The Spanish firm is “open and prepared”, its Chief Operating Officer Angel Vila said on Thursday, according to a company spokesperson, who confirmed an earlier report by Bloomberg.

Vodafone’s recently appointed Chief Executive Margherita Della Valle, is under pressure to shake up the group, which spans over Europe and Africa and whose shares have underperformed.

The company has reportedly sought to unwind assets in Spain, though, given its size in the country, a sale to rivals would face steep anti-trust hurdles.