United Group Owner Said to Seek July Bids as PE Firms Join Fray

United Group BV’s private equity backer has asked for non-binding bids in July for the eastern European carrier, people with knowledge of the matter said.

Apax Partners and Warburg Pincus are in the early stages of considering potential bids for part or all of United Group, which is controlled by BC Partners, the people said. They would compete with Emirates Telecommunications Group Co. and Saudi Telecom Co., which have separately been exploring offers, according to the people.

Orange SA, Telekom Austria AG and French telecom billionaire Xavier Niel’s Iliad SA are also among potential buyers that ...