Digicel asks regulators to monitor Columbus-CWC deal

News General Caribbean 20 NOV 2014
Digicel asks regulators to monitor Columbus-CWC deal
Caribbean mobile telephony operator Digicel urged telecoms watchdogs across the region to closely monitor the proposed acquisition agreement between Cable & Wireless Communication (CWC) and Columbus International. Earlier this month, Cable & Wireless Communications said it agreed to acquire Columbus International, a privately-owned fibre services provider in the Caribbean, Central America and Andean region, for USD 1.85 billion. According to the report, Digicel believes that this acquisition will lead to a monopolistic position, which will translate to higher prices for consumers and a slower pace of investment and innovation.

Categories:

General

Companies:

Cable & Wireless,  Digicel,  Columbus Communications

Regions:

Caribbean

Tags:

Regulations, M&A buyouts & divestments

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CWC announces completion of Columbus acquisition

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TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO 27 MRT 2015

TATT greenlights Columbus acquisition by CWC

Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC) confirmed it has obtained the necessary approval for the acquisition of Columbus International in Trinidad and Tobago, after receiving the greenlight from the local telecoms watchdog TATT, RTTNews reports. In November 2014, Cable & Wireless Communications signed an agreement to acquire Columbus International for USD 1.85 billion. CWC is looking for a potential buyer to acquire its 49 percent stake in majority-state-owned incumbent operator Telecommunications Services o

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO 13 MRT 2015

TATT sets conditions to approve Columbus acquisition by CWC

Trinidad and Tobago telecoms authority TATT has set certain conditions to authorise the proposed acquisition of Columbus Communications by rival Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC), Trinidad & Tobago's Newsday reports. The regulator said that CWC must agree to sell its 49 percent stake in majority-state-owned incumbent operator Telecommunications Services of Trinidad & Tobago (TSTT). In November 2014, Cable & Wireless Communications signed an agreement to acquire Columbus International for USD 1.85 billi

CARIBBEAN 13 JAN 2015

OECS questions Columbus acquisition by CWC

The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) has launched an initiative aimed at mobilising and sensitising the public of the sub-region to the proposed acquisition of Columbus International by Cable and Wireless Communications (CWC), Trinidad and Tobago Guardian reports. The Head of International Relations at the St Lucia-based OECS Commission, Anthony Severin, said that the developments surrounding the takeover have profound implications for the progress of the ICT sector and economies of the organ

BARBADOS 29 DEC 2014

Barbados studies Columbus acquisition by CWC

Barbados' Fair Trading Commission (FTC) received an application from Cable & Wireless Communications and Columbus International seeking permission to merge the two entities in Barbados. The FTC said that it is currently assessing the proposed merger transaction. The body also invited all service providers, businesses, representatives of consumer groups, non-governmental organisations, residential consumers and all other parties with an interest in this matter, to submit their comments on the proposed merg

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CWC's shareholders approves merger with Columbus

Shareholders of Cable & Wireless Communications CWC, the parent company of LIME, have voted in favour of the merger with Columbus International, which operates under the Flow brand. The company said that almost 90 percent of shareholders voted in favour of the deal. Last month, Cable & Wireless Communications said it agreed to acquire Columbus International, a privately-owned fibre services provider in the Caribbean, Central America and Andean region. Caribbean regulators still need to approve the acquisiti

CARIBBEAN 10 DEC 2014

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Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC) CEO Phil Bentley, affirmed that if Caribbean governments and regulators approved the company's acquisition of Columbus International, the enlarged CWC will not negatively impact competition in the cable and broadband markets, Trinidad and Tobago Guardian reports. The executive also said that the firm will work closely with governments and regulators to ensure competition in those Caribbean countries in which CWC and Columbus overlap. These markets include Jamaica, Barba

CARIBBEAN 28 NOV 2014

CTU to study Columbus acquisition by CWC

The Caribbean Telecommunications Union CTU announced it will study the proposed acquisition of Columbus International by UK-based Cable and Wireless Communications (C&W). The CTU has called for a meeting of its Member States and of the National and Regional Regulatory Authorities to consider the implications of the deal. This meeting will be held in Trinidad & Tobado during a two-day meeting of the CTU on 10-11 December. The CTU has noted that the proposed deal must be of concern to all regional regulatory

CARIBBEAN 21 NOV 2014

Ectel to monitor Columbus acquisition by CWC

Eastern Caribbean telecoms regulator Ectel affirmed it will be closely monitoring the proposed acquisition agreement between Cable & Wireless Communication (CWC) and Columbus International. According to the regulator, the proposed acquisition could 'potentially result in a negative impact on competition' by reducing choice for consumers and service providers. Ectel also said that the proposed merger raises significant issues in terms of potential breaches of licences by both CWC and Columbus which must be i

JAMAICA 14 NOV 2014

Jamaica to monitor Columbus acquisition by CWC

The government of Jamaica will be closely monitoring the proposed acquisition agreement between Cable & Wireless Communication (CWC) and Columbus International, Anguilla News reports. Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining Phillip Paulwell said that the government will ensure that the proposed deal will be beneficial to Jamaicans and will sustain competition in the domestic telecommunications market. Earlier this month, Cable & Wireless Communications said it has agreed to acquire Columbus Inter

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C&W Communications buys Columbus Int'l for USD 1.85 bln

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