Drahi approaches French rivals for SFR deal

Altice CEO Patrick Drahi looks on during the launch of the new television channel BFM Paris on November 7, 2016 in Paris. / AFP / MARTIN BUREAU (Photo credit should read MARTIN BUREAU/AFP/Getty Images)

PARIS: Billionaire Patrick Drahi has made approaches through a banker to sound out French telecom competitors Bouygues and Free about a possible deal with his SFR operator that would consolidate the nation’s mobile phone sector, according to La Tribune.

Neither competitor has shown any interest in the move made by Lazard’s Vincent Le Stradic, the newspaper said, citing people it didn’t name. It said Bouygues, Xavier Niel’s Free and the banker declined to comment.