Telstra to acquire Digicel Pacific

Australia’s leading telecommunications and technology company, Telstra has announced it would acquire Digicel Pacific for $US1.6 billion, subject to government and regulatory approvals, plus up to an additional US$250 million subject to business performance over the next three years.

Telstra says it will continue to invest in and operate the business under the Digicel brand name across its six South Pacific markets – Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Nauru, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu.

Telstra International CEO, Oliver Camplin-Warner says the deal would see Telstra build on Digicel Pacific’s leadership in the region and further boost mobile connectivity in Fiji.

Camplin-Warner says Denis O’Brien and the Digicel team have built a phenomenal business that’s centred on providing exceptional customer service, the best coverage and leading digital experiences.

He says Telstra will add to these strengths and the team’s local knowledge with their more than one hundred years’ experience connecting the vast expanses of Australia to continue delivering great experiences for Digicel’s customers across the Pacific.

Camplin-Warner says they have 19.5 million retail mobile customers in Australia and their 4G network is the largest and most reliable in the country.

He says it covers some of the remotest parts of Australia – from the coast, to the outback and the Torres Strait Islands, just off the coast of Papua New Guinea, and they are in the process of building Australia’s largest 5G network that now stretches to more than 240 towns and 75 per cent of the population.

Camplin-Warner says there won't be any local job losses as part of the acquisition and the current Digicel Pacific team will continue the day-to-day running of the business.

Current Digicel owner Denis O’Brien will remain involved as a member of the Board.

The Telstra CEO says they will invest their know-how and capital to further expand coverage and over time bring the benefits of 5G to Fiji but they will retain the same Digicel brand Fijians know and love today with the same team and services they have come to rely on.

Camplin-Warner says the acquisition was aligned to Telstra International’s growth strategy that today includes operations in 20 countries outside Australia with thousands of customers that include business, government and some of the world’s biggest technology companies.

He says beyond Australia, Telstra also has the most extensive subsea telecommunications cable network in the Asia Pacific and they are one of the biggest providers of voice and data services connecting the South Pacific to the rest of the world through their Southern Cross cable.

Camplin-Warner says network traffic is growing faster than any other period of time and digital technology is changing our world.

He says they are at the centre of this and they are committed to delivering the best technology on the best network for Fiji.

Digicel Pacific Hub Markets Regional CEO, Shally Jannif says Telstra’s experience rolling out a world-class 5G network and connecting diverse geographies will benefit the people and businesses of Fiji.

Jannif says Telstra’s network innovation has played a critical part in Australia being ranked first in the global Mobile Connectivity Index which assesses networks based on performance, affordability and availability.

She says they look forward to working with the Telstra team as Digicel Pacific and Telstra are both committed to building a connected future so everyone can thrive and this includes supporting some of the most vulnerable in our communities.

She says Digicel Pacific has taken community development to the next level with its investments in health, education, grass roots sports programs, disaster recovery and special needs. They look forward to continuing this work, just as Digicel Pacific does today.

While the acquisition is backed by the Australian Government, the business will be 100% owned and operated by Telstra.