Mid Europa Partners expected to take decision on Aster sale

Private-equity investor Mid Europa Partners are expected to make a decision on the sale of Polish cable operator Aster by the end of the year. Aster chief executive Janusz Arciszewski told local press that it expected a decision soon as part of Mid Europa’s five year plan for the company.

Fourth place cabler Aster has been a constant takeover target with rivals Multimedia Polska, TPSA and UPC all signaling interest in acquiring the company, which operates in Warsaw, Krakow and Zielona Gora. The cabler, which had 380,000 cable TV and 79,000 digital subscribers at the end of 2009, is expected to be valued at around PLN 1.6bn (€0.4bn).