Cable Consolidation Could Continue

Further moves by the cable industry towards consolidation are expected by City analysts who predict that General Cable will be fought over by TeleWest and Cable & Wireless Communications, the company created last week by a merger between C&W, Nynex, Bell Cablemedia and Videotron *Cable Companies Merge.

General des Eaux, a 40% holder in General Cable, appears willing to sell its stake to TeleWest which is looking to assert itself as the second key cable player. Comcast, the fourth largest cable operator in the UK with franchises predominantly in the South, is also believed to be a target for TeleWest.

…CableTel has refused to comment on speculation that it is considering legal proceedings to stop the acquisition of Videotron by Bell Cablemedia, which was part of the complex deals which took place last week during the creation of Cable & Wireless Communications.

* MediaTel subscribers only

Cable & Wireless: 0171 315 4000

TeleWest: 01483 750900