A branch office of Pacific mobile operator, Digicel, in Vanuatu's capital Port Vila. Photo: RNZI / Jamie Tahana
One of the region's most prominent telecommunications companies is considering selling its Pacific operations.
Digicel, which is owned by Irish billionaire Denis O'Brien and headquartered in Jamaica, has confirmed it's been approached by a number of potential buyers.
The heavily debt-laden company's Pacific operations are estimated to be worth about $2 billion.
A Digicel spokesperson confirmed to the Irish Times that it's in talks with "a number of parties", but wouldn't comment further citing confidentiality.
It follows reports that a number of Chinese telecoms - including China Mobile, Huawei, and ZTE - have expressed an interest in the Pacific arm, which operates in five countries. (Fiji, Samoa, Vanuatu, Nauru and Tonga.)
That has the Australian government concerned, with media there reporting this week the federal government is considering offering financial support to local bidders who want to take over Digicel.
