FRANKFURT (Standard&Poor's) Oct. 3, 2007--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services said today its ratings and outlook on telecommunications operator Telekom Austria AG (TA; BBB+/Stable/A-2) are unchanged following TA's announcement that it has reached an agreement to acquire the second-largest mobile operator Mobile Digital Communication (MDC) in Belarus. In a first step, TA will acquire a 70% stake in MDC for a consideration of €730 million, which will be financed using existing credit facilities. In a second step, it will acquire the remaining 30% stake in the fourth quarter of 2010 for €320 million through a call and put option agreement. The new debt will be located at the parent company and on-lent to MDC. Pro forma for the acquisition,
