Belgian telecoms operator Belgacom has denied it was interested in buying assets of bankrupt Dutch-based KPNQwest, whose network now hangs in the balance.
Liquidators of KPNQwest have been seeking buyers for the firm's 25,000 km of fibre optic network, the biggest in Europe, while at the same time scrambling for funds to keep it operating so the sale value does not evaporate.
A source close to KPNQwest said the consortium, led by US phone operator SBC, was one of several possible bidders for the network. But a spokesman for Belgacom said it had briefly been interested, but decided against bidding. "It's just not true. We are not interested," he said.
The remaining 51 per cent interest in Belgacom is held by the Belgian state.
KPNQwest administrator Mr Ed Meijer said US telecoms giant AT&T was among two companies close to making an offer for KPNQwest's network.
Dutch-American KPNQwest filed for bankruptcy last month after drowning in massive debt after it aggressively built a massive network but struggled to find customers amid slow demand. Other potential bidders previously mentioned include Britain's Colt, Cable & Wireless, KPN and Deutsche Telekom.
