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Paris, April 15, 2008
Vivendi and SFR receive purchase authorization from the Minister of
the Economy, Industry and Employment
SFR together with Neuf Cegetel creates a new-generation
telecommunications group
Vivendi and SFR received permission from the Minister of the Economy,
Industry and Employment to go ahead with the purchase of the Louis Dreyfus
Group’s equity stake in Neuf Cegetel.
Consequently, in accordance with the agreement announced on December 20,
2007, SFR today acquired, at a price of €34.50 a share with the 2007 coupon
attached, the entire equity stake of the Louis Dreyfus Group in Neuf Cegetel, or
28.45%. SFR now has control of Neuf Cegetel with 68.13% of its capital.
In the next few days, and in agreement with stock exchange regulations,
SFR will file with the “Autorité des Marchés Financiers” (the Paris Stock
Exchange Regulator) a Simplified Public Purchase Offer at a price of €36.50 a
share with the 2007 coupon attached. This operation will be followed, if
necessary, by a Public Withdrawal Offer at the same price.
Neuf Cegetel’s shareholders will be asked to approve the payment of a
dividend of €0.60 per share at the company’s General Shareholders’ Meeting on
April 21, 2008. As a result of this payment, scheduled on May 2, 2008, the price
of SFR’s offer would be adjusted to €35.90.
The Minister’s approval is in view of new commitments made by Vivendi and
its subsidiaries. They address competitor access and new market entrants to
wholesale markets on SFR’s fixed and mobile networks, acceptance on the fixed
network of an independent television distributor if such a player appears, as
well as the availability on a non-exclusive basis on ADSL of eight new channels
leaders on their particular themes (Paris Première, Teva, Jimmy, Ciné Cinéma
Famiz, three M6 Music channels and Fun TV).
With 19 million mobile customers, 3.6 million Internet broadband
customers, 10,000 employees and revenues totalling €12 billion, the newly
expanded company will become a major operator capable of responding to the needs
of all market segments: the general public, corporate and wholesale. This
new-generation telecommunications company will play a leading role in the fields
of innovation and development of new convergent services as well as rolling out
very high-speed fixed (optic fiber) and mobile (3G/3G+) broadband networks in
the best interests of consumers.
Important
disclaimer This press release contains forward-looking statements with
respect to the financial condition, results of operations, business, strategy
and plans of Vivendi. Although Vivendi believes that such forward-looking
statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not
guarantees of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from the
forward-looking statements as a result of a number of risks and uncertainties,
many of which are outside our control, including, but not limited to, the risks
described in the documents Vivendi filed with the Autorité des Marchés
Financiers (French securities regulator) and which are also available in English
on our web site (www.vivendi.com ).
Investors and security holders may obtain a free copy of documents filed by
Vivendi with the Autorité des Marchés Financiers at www.amf-france.org , or directly from Vivendi. The present forward-looking
statements are made as of the date of the present press release and Vivendi
disclaims any intention or obligation to provide, update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future
events or otherwise. This release does not constitute an offer to purchase
or exchange on the Neuf Cegetel securities nor the solicitation of an offer to
sell or exchange any securities of SFR, nor shall there be any purchase, sale or
exchange of securities in any jurisdiction (including the United States,
Germany, Italy and Japan) in which such offer, solicitation, sale or exchange
would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the laws of
such jurisdiction. The distribution of this communication may, in some
countries, be restricted by law or regulations. Accordingly, persons who come
into possession of this document should inform themselves of and observe these
restrictions. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Vivendi and SFR
disclaim any responsibility or liability for the violation of such restrictions
by any person.
Press Contact - SFR Julien
Villeret – +33 1 71 07 64 82 julien.villeret@fr.sfr.com
Press Contact - Vivendi Antoine Lefort – +33 1 71 71
11 80 Solange Maulini – +33 1 71 71 11 73 Agnès Vetillart – +33 1 71 71
30 82
Press Contact - Brunswick Aurélia de
Lapeyrouse / Agnès Catineau – +33 1 53 96 83 83
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