Deutsche Telekom (NYSE: DT), the German telecoms giant, is being pressured by its two main shareholders, the German government and private equity group Blackstone to make a decision on what to do with its struggling T Mobile UK operations, according to the FT.com. The German government, which holds a 32 percent stake in DT and Blackstone which controls 4.5 percent, are apparently worried about T-Mob UK’s chances in the “viciously competitive” market, in which five operators are serving a population of 60 million.

Six months ago, there was talk of selling the operator, but the shareholders reconsidered as asset valuations began to fall. Ten days ago, however, Deutsche Telekom announced a profit warning, specifically citing the poor performance in the UK, one of its biggest markets, as one of the reasons, which is said to have made the shareholders even “more restive.” The FT floats a merger with 3, the UK’s fifth largest carrier, owned by Hutchison Whampoa, though shareholders apparently wanted “a decision yesterday” about “fixing the UK.” T-Mobile US is also struggling, but according to the FT, shareholders are firmly behind DT’s ambition to stay in that market.

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