Vodafone, AT&T Interested In Huawei Handset Stake

May 2008 | FDI Alert

Vodafone, the largest global mobile operator, is reported to be interested in acquiring a stake in Chinese handset manufacturer Huawei. The manufacturer, based in Shenzhen, was reported in early May to be considering the sale of a 50% stake in its handset division in a 'multibillion-dollar' deal enabling it to enter the North American market where security concerns, among others, led to the collapse of a proposed take-over of 3Com by Huawei and Bain Capital Partners. US politicians were believed to object to Huawei's founder Ren Zhengfei's military background. Other parties believed to be interested in the stake in Huawei include US telecoms operator AT&T, as well as private equity firms Blackstone, TPG and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts.

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