Numericable expected to begin IPO process

French cable operator Numericable is this week expected to initiate its move to a planned IPO by inviting analysts to hear a presentation by the company’s management, according to local reports.

According to BFM TV, analysts have been invited to meet with Numericable’s managers on Thursday. Numericable, currently owned by investors Carlyle, Cinven and Altice, could reportedly be valued at up to €6 billion, including debt.

Deutsche Bank and JP Morgan have been charged with leading the process. Numericable’s IPO is widely seen as an alternative to a merger between the cable operator and Vivendi-owned SFR. However, Vivendi’s decision to spin off the telco could lead to SFR launching a public offering of its own.