Deutsche Telecom shares soar on rumour of US deal

FRANKFURT: Shares in German telecommunications giant Deutsche Telecom soared in afternoon trading Tuesday on increasing speculation about a mobile tie-up with Sprint in the United States, market sources said.

Deutsche Telecom shares showed a gain of 4.21 percent, leaping to the top of gainers on the DAX index which was 0.70 percent lower overall.

According to market rumours, the group's troubled T-Mobile USA unit is to merge with rival Sprint.

Deutsche Telecom finance director Tim Hoettges told AFP in an e-mail that "all options are open" for the US unit, whether it was "a full or partial sale, or a partnership."