Telenor to acquire majority stake in the Finnish telecom operator DNA

(Fornebu, 9 April 2019) Telenor Group has today entered into agreements to acquire 54% of the shares in the Finnish telecom operator DNA Plc for EUR 20.90 per share in cash, in total EUR 1.5 billion (approx. NOK 14.4 billion). With the transaction, Telenor gets a strong position across fixed and mobile in an attractive and growing telecom market, and further strengthens its position in the Nordic region.

Telenor has entered into separate agreements with DNA's two largest shareholders, Finda Telecoms Oy and PHP Holding Oy, which hold 28.3% and 25.8% of the shares in the company, respectively.

The transaction is subject to certain conditions, including the approval by the general meetings of the seller entities and required regulatory approvals. The Boards of Directors of the sellers will recommend the agreements to the shareholders and convene general meetings to be held on 6 May 2019. Certain shareholders in Finda and PHP have through irrevocable undertakings agreed to vote in favour of the transactions in the Finda and PHP general meetings. Telenor expects the transaction to be completed during the third quarter of 2019.

Completion of the transaction will trigger a mandatory public tender offer for the remaining outstanding shares in DNA by Telenor. The cash consideration per share to be offered in the mandatory tender offer will be EUR 20.90. Subject to the outcome of the mandatory tender offer, Telenor's intention is to keep DNA's listing on the Nasdaq Helsinki stock exchange. 

DNA, based in Helsinki, is an integrated fixed and mobile telecom operator with a solid market position in the fastest growing mobile market in Europe. The company is the third largest mobile operator in Finland, with 2.9 million subscribers and 28% market share. DNA's customers are enjoying the fastest mobile network in Finland, and the company has over the past three years increased its mobile service revenues by 9.3% per year. In addition, DNA is the second largest fixed broadband provider and the largest cable TV provider in Finland. In 2018, DNA reported revenues of EUR 912 million, EBITDA of EUR 285 million, and operating cash flow of EUR 147 million. DNA has been ranked as the most attractive employer in Finland, and the DNA brand is among the top ranked brands in Finland.