Estonia, Legislation, Markets and Companies, Technology, Telecomunications

51% of Levira belongs to the state and 49% to French company TDF Group.

The Estonian state is preparing the sale saying that Levira's specifics have changed and the company that used to make sure the TV signal reached people's homes, has become a telecommunications company that the state has no business managing.

Economy ministry communications department head Tõnu Nirk said that TDF has shown interest towards the possible sale.

The sales conditions promise to guarantee that the Tallinn TV tower, that was recently thoroughly renovated, and that Levira manages, would be open for people in the future too. "The requirements that the TV tower would be open and accessible to all people and would continue operating as a tourism object, that is certainly a part of the sales conditions," said Nirk.

TDF's representative in Levira's council Aymeric de Cardes was unwilling to comment upon possible sale of the TDF stake. He said though that they are not interested in buying out the stake of the Estonian state. "The state has a majority of shareholding of 51% there, according to papers, but when we look actually at the actions and activities of Levira, it is clear that the state has been more a follower in the wind of thoughts of the French, who are the minority shareholders," said de Cardes.