Bouygues, Orange, Iliad Consortium Inks MoU to Buy Altice's SFR Unit

A consortium comprising Bouygues SA (ENXTPA:EN), Orange SA (ENXTPA:ORA), and Iliad SA (ENXTPA:ILD) signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding on June 7, 2026, to acquire French telecom operator SFR from Altice France, a subsidiary of Altice Europe NV (ENXTAM:ATC). The move aims to reshape France's wireless landscape by uniting four major carriers under a single framework. Financial terms were not disclosed. The consortium will seek regulatory clearance, with antitrust authorities likely to examine the deal's impact on competition and consumer prices. Altice Europe has been selling assets to pare debt following a period of aggressive expansion. SFR, which serves over 20 million mobile and fixed-line subscribers, would strengthen the buyers' spectrum holdings and infrastructure footprint. The transaction underscores ongoing consolidation in European telecommunications as operators pursue scale to fund 5G and fiber investments.