Belgacom to Buy Scarlet

BRUSSELS and LELYSTAD, Netherlands -- With the acquisition of Scarlet NV, Belgacom enters an additional market segment, optimizes its marketingpositioning and enhances its multi-play offering in Belgium.

Scarlet offers its international customer base of 180.000 broadband clients a variety of products with a “no frills”positioning which Belgacom will continue under the Scarlet brand.Scarlet will continue to operate as a separate business unit while network and operational synergies are beingrealized. The customers will keep their current contracts and benefits.

Belgacom is acquiring all the shares of Scarlet N.V. for an amount of EUR 185 million on a debt and cash freebasis. The completion of the transaction is amongst others subject to approvals from competent competitionauthorities.

Belgacom SA (Euronext: BELG)