SCM Given Green Light To Buy Optima.

The Anti-Monopoly Committee has issued permission for SCM to buy more than 50% of the second largest fixed telecommunication company (after Ukrtelecom) Optima Telecom. SCM plans to close the deal by the end of the month. Concorde Capital: SCM’s telecom empire will include the two largest alternative telecom operators, Optima and Farlep (acquired earlier). The integration of the two operators into one holding would create synergies allowing both companies to increase their scope of services and territory of operation. This holding should be sound competition for Ukrtelecom (UTEL: BUY). SCM is definitely constructing a telecommunications armada, the question now is whether the Anti-Monopoly Committee will allow them to bid for UTEL – a decision that will depend greatly on the configuration of the Rada after the March elections.