By Margit Feher
BUDAPEST--The Hungarian government has no plans to buy a mobile
telecommunications operator, a cabinet minister said Monday, state
news agency MTI reported.
Development Minister Zsuzsa Nemeth made the comment in a
parliamentary committee meeting, denying local press reports that
the government was eyeing a stake in one of Hungary's three
privately owned mobile operators.
After a court decision anulled a frequency tender concluded Jan.
31, 2012, the government shelved plans to set up a state-owned
mobile operator, prompting speculation it may want to buy one
instead.
The Hungarian government has bought all of or purchased stakes
in several privately owned firms in the energy, car parts,
telecommunications, and banking sectors.
According to press reports, the government had been considering
acquiring a stake in Vodafone Hungary, which is wholly owned by
U.K. mobile operator Vodafone Group PLC (VOD), or T-Mobile Hungary,
which is wholly owned by Hungary's largest telecom company, Magyar
Telekom Nyrt. (MTELEKOM.BU). Magyar Telekom is majority owned by
Deutsche Telekom AG (DTE.XE).
Hungary's third mobile operator is Telenor Zrt., which is 100%
owned by Norway's Telenor ASA (TEL.OS).
Write to Margit Feher at margit.feher@dowjones.com