Belgacom, the Belgian telecoms firm has confirmed plans for a €5.2bn ($6.3bn) flotation this month, in what is set to be the largest European initial public offering (IPO) for four years.

Orange, the mobile arm of France Télécom, raised €6.3bn when it floated in February 2000, according to Dealogic, the investment banking firm. Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein (DrKW), Morgan Stanley and SG led the deal which was also the last telecoms IPO in Europe to include a retail offering.