Grupo Auna

Grupo Auna was a Spanish telecommunications group created during the restructuring and liberalization of Spain's communications market. Its corporate origins were connected with Retevisión, one of two companies established in Spain in 1996 after the telecommunications sector was liberalized. Rather than operating as a single narrowly focused telecom brand, Grupo Auna brought together several complementary businesses covering mobile communications, fixed-line telephony, internet access, broadband, cable television, and related network services. The group’s principal components included Amena, its mobile-telephony business; Auna, which provided fixed-line telephony and ADSL services; and AunaCable, the cable-services operation offering internet, television, and telephone products. This combination gave Grupo Auna exposure to multiple parts of the emerging Spanish convergence market, in which operators increasingly sought to bundle voice, data, television, and mobile services. The group also expanded its cable footprint through the acquisition of Tenaria in 2004. Grupo Auna did not remain an independent group for the long term. In 2005 it was divided into two principal parts. France Télécom acquired Amena, while the remainder of the group was acquired by ONO. The reported value associated with ONO’s acquisition of the remaining businesses was €2.2 billion. These transactions ended Grupo Auna as a standalone telecommunications group and transferred its mobile and fixed/cable operations to separate strategic owners. Because the available reference material describes the group mainly through its corporate structure and disposal, detailed information on later brand usage, management, customer numbers, and individual product performance is not established here.

Grupo Auna emerged from the reorganization of Spain’s telecommunications industry following sector liberalization. Its background was linked to Retevisión, one of two companies created in 1996 as Spain opened telecommunications to greater competition. The group subsequently developed as a diversified communications holding rather than as a single-product operator. Its operating portfolio was built around three principal businesses. Amena handled mobile telephony. Auna supplied fixed-line telephone and ADSL services. AunaCable operated cable infrastructure and delivered internet, television, and telephone services. This structure reflected the growing importance of bundled communications and the convergence of previously separate markets. A customer could increasingly obtain several services from an operator with a shared network or commercial relationship. In 2004, Grupo Auna acquired Tenaria, a cable-services business. The acquisition strengthened its position in cable communications and broadened the group’s operating base. However, the group soon became the subject of a major corporate breakup. In 2005, Grupo Auna was divided into two parts: France Télécom acquired Amena, while ONO bought the remaining businesses. The value reported for ONO’s purchase of the remainder was €2.2 billion. The 2005 transactions effectively ended Grupo Auna as an independent corporate group. Its mobile business moved to France Télécom, while its fixed-line, broadband, cable, and associated operations moved to ONO. The available source material does not establish a continuing standalone Grupo Auna operating business after these transactions, nor does it provide sufficiently documented information about its executives, detailed geographic revenue mix, or subsequent corporate branding.

• 2005

  Group divided and sold

  [1]Grupo Aunaen.wikipedia.org

  France Télécom acquired Amena, while ONO acquired the remainder of Grupo Auna in a transaction reported at €2.2 billion.

• 2004

  Tenaria acquired

  [1]Grupo Aunaen.wikipedia.org

  Grupo Auna acquired the cable-services operator Tenaria, adding to its cable communications activities.

• 1996

  Retevisión created during Spanish telecommunications liberalization

  [1]Grupo Aunaen.wikipedia.org

  Grupo Auna’s corporate origins were connected with Retevisión, one of two companies established in Spain after the telecommunications market was liberalized.

A Spanish multi-service telecommunications group combining mobile, fixed-line, broadband, cable television, and internet operations during the post-liberalization consolidation of the sector.

• Mobile telecommunications

  Amena

  Amena was Grupo Auna’s mobile-telephony business. It represented the group’s wireless communications activity and was separated from the rest of the group in 2005 when France Télécom acquired it.

• Fixed-line and broadband telecommunications

  Auna

  The Auna operating business provided fixed-line telephone services and ADSL internet access. It formed part of the non-mobile assets that were transferred to ONO during the 2005 breakup of Grupo Auna.

• Cable communications

  AunaCable

  AunaCable operated cable-services activities spanning internet access, television, and telephone services. The business reflected Grupo Auna’s effort to combine network-based communications products in a convergent service portfolio.

• 2005

  Breakup and sale of Grupo AunaM&A

  Background

  The group contained distinct mobile, fixed-line, broadband, and cable businesses that were attractive to different telecommunications owners.

  Action taken

  France Télécom acquired Amena, while ONO acquired the remaining Grupo Auna businesses.

  Aftermath

  Grupo Auna ceased operating as an independent telecommunications group. Its mobile activities joined France Télécom, and its remaining operations joined ONO.

  Reported value of ONO acquisition of the remaining Grupo Auna businesses. €2.2 billion (2005)

  Source

• 2004

  Acquisition of TenariaM&A

  Background

  Grupo Auna sought to expand its cable-services operations while maintaining a multi-platform telecommunications portfolio.

  Action taken

  The group acquired Tenaria, a cable-services operator.

  Aftermath

  The acquisition broadened Grupo Auna’s cable activities before the group was divided and sold in 2005.

  Source

1. 1Grupo Aunaen.wikipedia.org