Regions have become more expensive than the capital

One of the largest Russian alternative operators, Golden Telecom (GT), announced the acquisition of the Russian assets of Consolidated Communications Corporation ( 3C-Russia ). The deal amounted to $ 1.7 million plus another $ 1.2 million can be additionally paid when the acquired company achieves additional financial results.

Companies belonging to the 3C-Russia group provide fixed-line telephony, Internet access, IP-telephony and satellite communications services. The group of companies acquired by GT consists of DirectNet and Satcom-Tel operators. DirectNet is an old-timer of the capital's telecommunications market in Moscow: the company was founded in the early 1990s by a group of American investors. In 2000, the operator was on the verge of bankruptcy and, after a series of resale, became part of 3C - an Irish company created by Arab investors to develop the telecommunications markets in Eastern Europe.

According to market participants, negotiations between GT and DirectNet have been going on for at least five years. Both companies have a lot in common: GT was also founded by American investors in the early 1990s, and only in 2001 the Russian Alfa Group became its main shareholder. From here, both the structures of the Western model of business processes and accounting are set up, and the numerous personal contacts of top managers. But the parties could not agree on a price: the owners of DirectNet, until recently, too highly valued their company.
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Now we have an interesting price ratio. As already mentioned, GT will pay no more than $ 2.9 million for 3C. At the same time, GT acquired the Perm alternative operator, Telecommunications Agency, for $ 4.5 million. “Not the largest regional operator is sold several times more expensive than well-known Moscow business provider, - notes Boris Ovchinnikov ( Barouh ), an associate partner of J'Son & Partners. “A few years ago such a picture would have been simply impossible.”