Telecom Lead America: Columbus International is set to
pick up equity stake in TeleBarbados that operates a fiber telecommunications
network in Barbados.
TeleBarbados provides voice and data services to retail
and corporate customer base on both a wireless and a hard-wired basis.
As part of the deal, Columbus International will purchase
shares of Antilles Crossing (Barbados) IBC and Antilles Crossing Holding
Company (St. Lucia) from Caribbean Fibre Holdings.
The transaction includes the purchase of TeleBarbados,
Tele-St. Lucia and Wamco Technology Group.
TeleBarbados operates a fiber telecommunications network
in Barbados and provides voice and data services to retail and corporate
customer base on both a wireless and a hard-wired basis.
It holds licenses to provide domestic and international
voice services, backhaul bandwidth capacity services, Internet exchange
services, managed data network services, virtual private network services,
public Internet access services, fixed wireless telecom services, domestic and
international telecom services, and various wireless spectrum services.
Tele-St. Lucia holds a series of licenses issued under
the Telecommunications Act of St. Lucia to provide similar services throughout
St. Lucia.
“The acquisition of TeleBarbados marks a significant
milestone in Columbus’ entry into the Barbados telecom marketplace. Columbus
plans to invest heavily in Barbados over the next 24 to 36 months to offer
consumers the full triple play of broadband Internet, digital landline
telephone and advanced Internet protocol based video services under the brand
name FLOW. In addition, Columbus will be launching a series of corporate data,
connectivity and IT services under the brand Columbus Business Solutions,”
said Columbus chief executive officer Brendan Paddick.
Recently, Columbus International announced $225 million
credit facility. This will assist Columbus to make significant direct
investment in infrastructure in Barbados.
The company is looking at launching advanced consumer and
corporate services, creating hundreds of new high technology jobs.
