The French group CS - COMMUNICATION & SYSTEMES (formerly COMPAGNIES DES SIGNAUX), in financial difficulties with losses in the first half of 2000 of FF 211 million, is negotiating the sale of its telecoms branch CS TELECOM to the independent investment fund BC PARTNERS (5 bn euro under management). CS TELECOMS had a turnover of FF 526 million in 2000 with a workforce of 500. In addition, CS is also said to be negotiating the sale of its software integration business to Germany's PLAUT.