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AOL Europe to float?
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January 12, 2000: 4:29 a.m. ET
Report: Bertelsmann and AOL to list European ISP joint venture
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LONDON (CNNfn) - AOL and German media giant Bertelsmann are planning to list shares in their European joint venture AOL Europe, according to a German press report Wednesday.
The flotation of AOL Europe is due to take place later this year, and the two companies are finalizing plans for the IPO, according to German financial daily Handelsblatt.
The aim of listing AOL Europe, the region's number two Internet service provider, will enable the venture to make acquisitions without having to tap the partners for more liquidity. AOL Europe will be able to offer its own stock to potential acquisition targets.
The five-year-old venture has come under fire in some quarters for an apparent slow reaction to the threat from free ISPs, particularly in Britain. AOL Europe recently launched its own free ISP under the Netscape Online brand.
Last month it was reported that Bertelsmann is examining the possibility of floating its European joint venture with Lycos. 
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AOL Europe
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