Thursday 6 November 2014 – Kingston, Jamaica. Digicel notes today’s public announcement in relation to the proposed acquisition of Columbus International Inc. (“Columbus”) by Cable and Wireless Communications Plc (“CWC”). Although the full details of the proposed merger have not yet been made public, Digicel is naturally concerned about the clear and obvious challenges and potential issues posed by such a proposed move from a Regulatory and Competition perspective.
Digicel understands that the proposed acquisition will require significant regulatory approvals from a number of bodies in the region; including Ministerial approvals, approvals from Regulatory Bodies as well as approvals from certain anti-trust agencies. Digicel looks forward to being provided with further details of the proposed transaction so as to allow it make considered submissions to those bodies as is appropriate and necessary.
This proposed transaction raises a considerable number of issues for telecommunications regulation and competition generally in the region. The issues that will need to be addressed include such matters as fairness in spectrum allocations, local loop unbundling, price bundling generally as well as a myriad of other likely issues which will only become apparent once Digicel and other agencies and bodies have been fully appraised of the details of the proposed transaction and the likely resultant impact on the telecoms market in the region.
Digicel is confident that the proposed transaction will be considered in the context of a transparent and fair process sponsored by the relevant agencies with responsibility for these matters and that it will be afforded a full and fair opportunity to engage in the approvals process given its status as a major telecommunications provider in the Caribbean region.
Digicel Group CEO, Colm Delves, stated; “Digicel is naturally concerned to ensure that any proposed transaction will not result in an unlevel playing field being created in the Caribbean markets in favour of the proposed enlarged entity. Digicel looks forward to engaging constructively and responsibly with all relevant agencies and bodies to the fullest extent necessary to ensure that fair and vibrant competition is maintained in the Caribbean region and that the interests of Caribbean consumers are fully protected.”
About Digicel
Digicel Group is a total communications and entertainment provider with operations in 33 markets in the Caribbean, Central America and Asia Pacific. After 13 years of operation, total investment to date stands at over US$5 billion worldwide. The company is renowned for delivering best value, best service and best network.
Digicel is the lead sponsor of Caribbean, Central American and Pacific sports teams, including the Special Olympics teams throughout these regions. Digicel sponsors the West Indies cricket team and is also the presenting partner of the Caribbean Premier League. In the Pacific, Digicel is the proud sponsor of several national rugby teams and also sponsors the Vanuatu cricket team.
Digicel also runs a host of community-based initiatives across its markets and has set up Digicel Foundations in Haiti, Jamaica, Papua New Guinea and Trinidad and Tobago which focus on educational, cultural and social development programmes.
Visit www.digicelgroup.com for more information.
