Bredbandsbolaget is a broadband provider that started in the midst of the dot-com bubble in the late 90s.

This case focuses on the financial distress of France Telecom in 2002. It takes the student through the events that led to this crisis by focusing on the succession of credit rating actions from 1995 through 2004.

The European market for corporate control has undergone rapid change. Together with attempted takeover of Thyssen by Krupp and their eventual merger, and the successful hostile takeover of Mannesmann by Vodafone Airtouch, the takeover of Telecom Italia by Olivetti was a path-breaking event in this process.