Denis O'Brien's Digicel Group said today it is engaged in negotiations to acquire Bouygues Telecom Caribe, the subsidiary of Bouygues Telecom with assets in Martinique, Guadeloupe and French Guiana.
The purchase is subject to the approval of Bougyues shareholders, workers committee, ARCEP and Bercy, and the French Ministry for Finance.
Bouygues Telecom Caraibe, which is headquartered in Martinique, employs around 80 people and operates a GSM network that spans the French overseas territories of Martinique, Guadeloupe, and French Guiana.
The markets are home to more than 1 million people and are popular tourist destinations. Its coverage areas also include St Barths and French St Martin.
The news comes just days after Digicel completed its acquisition of Cingular Wireless' Caribbean and Bermuda operations, which has expanded the company to five new countries bringing its current reach to 15 markets covering a population of 14 million people.
Colm Delves, Digicel's CEO, said that the company will challenge the incumbent Orange Caraibe and ONLY, a new entrant in the French West Indies market. He added that Digicel has successfully taken on Cable & Wireless among other incumbents over the years.
Digicel currently employs more than 1,500 people throughout the Caribbean and has invested over $1 billion in the region. Digicel was launched by Denis O'Brien in 2001, and has become the fastest growing mobile telecommunications operator in the Caribbean.
