S.Africa rand firms to firmest level in month vs dlr

JOHANNESBURG, July 9 - South Africa's rand firmed more than one percent against the dollar on Wednesday, extending earlier gains.

Traders partly attributed the rand's gains to news of the extension of ongoing talks between mobile phone group MTN <MTNJ.J> and Reliance Communications <RLCM.BO> on a potential combination.

At 1012 GMT the rand <ZAR=D3> was at 7.6644 versus the greenback compared to Tuesday's close of 7.74, after earlier visiting 7.66, it's strongest level since June 2, according to Reuters data.

MTN and India's Reliance Communications have extended exclusive talks on a potential combination to create a top-10 global telecom group. Johannesburg traders said earlier there was speculation the possible deal would see an inflow of dollars into South Africa.

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