France Télécom is soon expected to find a buyer for Casema, its Dutch cable operator, making it the second set of disposal talks to advance for the company in the past month.

France Télécom, with the help of sole financial adviser Merrill Lynch, is in negotiations to sell Casema in a bid to reduce its large debt. France Télécom is reported to be close to clinching a deal, and is understood to be talking to five private equity firms including Carlyle Group, which is tipped as the favourite, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, Providence Equity Partners and Callahan Group.