Dutch-owned German operator E-Plus has ruled out a merger with Telefónica’s O2 Germany but sees room for cooperation in the field of network operations, reports Thomson Financial News, quoting E-Plus CEO Thorsten Dirks. Speculation has emerged in recent weeks that Telefónica might be interested in a tie-up with E-Plus, owned by KPN, to strengthen its German mobile phone unit O2. “There are no talks taking place with Telefónica,” Dirks said, adding that previous moves regarding a merger of O2 and E-Plus had all failed. According to Wireless Intelligence, E-Plus and 02 Germany are the third and fourth largest mobile operators in Germany respectively.

With regards to working together, Dirks added, “I invite O2, so that we can do more together… There have been talks over a cooperation in the area of network operations some time ago.” Dirks went on to rule out the possibility that E-Plus would build its own DSL network or acquire a fixed line company. “I still see no necessity to enter the fixed line business,” he said.