Netherlands-based cable operator UPC has taken control of leading Czech cable operator Dattelkabel by acquiring telco Global TeleSystem (GTS)'s 42% stake in the company.

GTS spokeswoman Marcela Roflikova told Screendaily that the stock-only deal led to former Dattelkabel shareholder, Dutch Nuon International, selling out of the company completely. UPS had earlier this year purchased 51% of DattelKabel from Nuon.

GTS took additional ownership in DattelKabel's former parent, data transmission company Dattel, as part of the deal. Dattel, with $6.6m in estimated 1998 revenues, ranks among the top ten alternative telecom service providers in the Czech Republic.

UPC has been aggressively expanding in Central Europe. In addition to acquiring DattelKabel, the company earlier this year bought 97% of the Czech Republic's Kabel Plus from MediaOne for $150m. UPC now operates cable television and internet services in more than 500,000 households in the Czech Republic.

  • UPC is withdrawing from the acquisition process for French cable operator Lyonnaise Cable, or Noos, because it couldn't reach agreement with France's Suez Lyonnaise des Eaux on a number of important strategic and operational issues relating to Noos' future.