PRESS: BT eyes UK government green light for TalkTalk tilt

BT Group PLC has opened talks with UK government officials over a possible takeover of Salford, England-based TalkTalk, the Financial Times reported on Thursday.

BT Chief Executive Allison Kirkby met with officials in the UK government's Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport to gauge whether a possible bid for TalkTalk would lead to a lengthy competition watchdog probe, the FT reported. The FT cited three people familiar with the matter.

The FT added that two of the people said London-based telecom firm BT is keen on buying TalkTalk's wholesale and retail businesses.

TalkTalk sells home broadband and phone services in the UK. Its PXC offering, meanwhile, supplies other telecom providers with internet connectivity services.

BT's Openreach is a network infrastructure supplier of TalkTalk.

In September, PA reported that TalkTalk said it remains in "advanced discussions" with potential buyers of its consumer and broadband businesses as the troubled telecoms firm races to secure its future.

BT shares rose 3.9% to 198.35 pence each in London on Friday morning.

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