As of late April 2026, the sale of MEO is effectively on hold while Patrick Drahi prioritizes a massive restructuring in France. A consortium of Iliad Group, Bouygues Telecom, and Orange has entered exclusive negotiations to get SFR (Altice France) for an enterprise value of €20.35 billion.
Once the SFR deal is finalized (with the exclusivity period ending May 15, 2026), Altice is expected to return its full attention to the Portuguese market.
The Key Suitors: Valuation vs. Reality
The main challenge for the sale remains the valuation gap. While potential buyers are eyeing a €6B–€7B range, Altice is reportedly holding out for a figure between €8 billion and €10 billion.
- Saudi Telecom Company (STC): The STC Saudi Telecom Company MEO acquisition status is highly watched. STC has the capital and a proven desire for European infrastructure, following its 9.9% stake in Telefónica. However, they have yet to meet Drahi's premium valuation.
- Iliad Group (Xavier Niel): Through the Iliad Group Altice Portugal bid 2026, Niel remains a top contender. If successful in the French SFR deal, Iliad could move to join MEO to strengthen its pan-European footprint.
- Warburg Pincus & Zeno Partners: This private equity consortium, joined by former Credit Suisse chairman António Horta-Osório, has been invited into second-round discussions but remains cautious on the high price tag.
Navigating the 2026 Tech Landscape
Despite the "For Sale" sign, MEO continues to lead the national market with a 48% mobile share. This stability is a significant draw for talent searching for the latest IT jobs in Portugal.
For those looking for stability in a shifting market, the Investors Dinner 2026 (May 21st in Lisbon) will provide essential insights into how a change in MEO's ownership might impact national infrastructure and AI integration. Currently, the Devs.com.pt job board shows a clear trend: even during M&A cycles, the demand for Senior Network Architects and Fintech Engineers remains at an all-time high as companies prepare for the "Next AI Wave."
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