Masiu happy with Telstra’s acquisition

INFORMATION, Communications and Technology Minister Timothy Masiu has commended Telstra for its completion of the Digicel Pacific acquisition in partnership with the Australian government.
“I could not be happier for the caretaker government and the consumers throughout the Pacific, and in particular Papua New Guinea who stand to benefit from a competition standpoint,” he said.
“It is also welcome news when you see and read about an Australian business icon inheriting a successful business.
“It says so much about investor confidence within the Pacific and in PNG.”
Masiu said while deal would have its detractors he said this was one move in a push for influence in the Pacific region by major powers.
“Geopolitics has a place in the sun as long as calculated risks are taken after balancing national, consumer, economic and political interests, amongst other considerations,” he said.
“Geopolitics and the push for influence within the Pacific neighbourhood by super powers is something that any sovereign government has to deal with at the bilateral and multilateral level and the caretaker PNG government is no exception.”
Masiu said the national government had considered all aspects and had assessed and approved the acquisition through regulators such as ICCC (Independent Consumer and Competition Commission) and Nicta (National Information and Communications Technology Authority).