It's a subject of burning public interest first made known on the Monday Morning Beef, and tonight - BTL is responding to reports that they plan to acquire SMART, Centaur Communications and CTI/NEXGEN in a massive and costly consolidation of telephone, cable and internet service providers.
Tonight, in a statement the company is more or less confirming it, while saying, quote, "BTL clarifies that such discussions are not new-locally or globally."
The company adds, quote, "we have consistently leveraged our unique market position to pursue strategic opportunities that strengthen and diversify our revenue base...."
Without going into any detail as to the scope of the acquisition and which parties stand to benefit from such a purchase, the release says, quote, "Any potential future consolidation would be guided by the goal of strengthening Our National Telecom ….reducing unnecessary duplication and maximizing the use of under-utilized capacity in this capital-intensive industry unlocks efficiencies."
Reports tell 7News that the combined cost of these companies could come in at over 150 million dollars to BTL. It raises eyebrows because ultimate approval must come from the BTL Board of Directors, which is staked with party loyalists and the super-majority of whom are appointed by the Prime Minister. His family stands to make tens of millions in such a buyout of both SMART, of which they own about 20% and Centaur which is a Briceno owned cable and internet enterprise. The Chairman of BTL, Mark Lizarraga is also the brother of the owner of CTI/NEXGEN who is Pete Lizarraga.
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