Turk Telekom privatisation deadline postponed to end of June?

The Turkish government is expected to postpone the deadline for the submission of offers to take part in the privatisation of Turk Telekom by a month, according to industry sources quoted in Turkish newspaper Zaman. Five participating companies are understood to have called for the deadline to be put back.

Several major international telecoms players have been linked with the privatisation, which should see 55% of the incumbent operator sold off. In recent weeks, following the withdrawal of Belgacom and Telefónica, Telecom Italia has emerged as a front-runner. The current deadline for bids is 31 May.