Deutsche Telekom AG (OTCMKTS:DTEGY) (FRA:DTE) (ETR:DTE), the largest telecommunications company in Germany and the parent company of T-Mobile US Inc (NYSE:TMUS), is considering a partnership with WhatsApp, the popular mobile instant messaging startup, according to Bloomberg.
Attractive partner
Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) recently announced its agreement to acquire WhatsApp for $19 billion in cash and stock. The mobile instant messaging startup has 450 million monthly users and still growing — which makes it an attractive partner for carriers. German E-Plus, the German subsidiary of Koninklijke KPN N.V. (AMS:KPN), a telecommunications company in Netherlands will start offering WhatsApp this spring.
Claudia Nemat, board member in charge of the European unit and Technology of Deutsche Telekom AG (OTCMKTS:DTEGY) (FRA:DTE) (ETR:DTE) said the company plans to partner with WhatsApp in markets such as Romania. The German telecommunications provider is also seeking other text messaging services such as Joyn and Jibe to target different social groups.
“We don’t believe that one single model will succeed, but that we’ll see a co-existence of services. Which one you’ll choose depends on your age group, and how important privacy is to you,” explained Nemat during an interview at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain.
According to Nemat, Deutsche Telekom AG (OTCMKTS:DTEGY) (FRA:DTE) (ETR:DTE) will introduce Joyn in other countries in the European region
Deutsche Telekom acquisitions in Eastern Europe
Deutsche Telekom AG (OTCMKTS:DTEGY) (FRA:DTE) (ETR:DTE) is expanding its business in Eastern Europe. The German telecommunications company acquired GTS Central Europe and agreed to buy out the minority shareholders of its business unit in Czechoslovakia. The company also offered to acquire additional 10% stake in Hellenic Telecommunications Organization SA from the government of Greece.
Timotheus Hoettges, the new chief executive officer of Deutsche Telekom is leading the company’s consolidation strategies in Europe to maintain its customers who needs faster web connections anytime, anywhere.
According to Nemat, the company aims to increase the number of households running on all-internet protocol technology in Europe from 4.8 million to approximately 8 million by the end of 2014.
