15 May 2020

Digicel denies deal to sell Pacific unit to China Mobile

3:01 pm on 15 May 2020

The Digicel Group has denied that there is any deal being brokered to sell its Pacific unit to state-owned company China Mobile Ltd.

The Jamaica-based mobile phone company was responding to an Australian Financial Review article saying the Chinese company has been conducting due diligence on Digicel's Pacific unit and that the deal could be worth $US900 million.

A branch office of Pacific mobile operator, Digicel, in Vanuatu's capital Port Vila.

A branch office of Pacific mobile operator, Digicel, in Vanuatu's capital Port Vila. Photo: RNZI / Jamie Tahana

Reuters reports that digicel head of communications Antonia Graham denies the report saying China Mobile has not approached Digicel.

Digicel has Pacific operations in PNG, Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa, Tonga and Nauru and also has ventures in Solomon Islands and Tahiti.

The company is almost $US7 billion dollars in debt and in the middle of a debt restructure.