BARBADOS – Caribbean telco Columbus International is buying Lazus (formerly Promitel Colombia) from Ashmore Management Company. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The acquisition represents Columbus’ largest investment to date in Colombia, and will further enhance its SME focused business solutions to offer advanced business-class telecommunications services to the rapidly growing Colombian economy.
Lazus is a privately held telecommunications infrastructure provider operating principally in 10 cities across Colombia. The company also owns and operates telecommunication systems in Panama City, Panama and San Jose, Costa Rica. Lazus’ extensive, fibre–based network stretches approximately 3,500 km through 12 cities and is represented by a cumulative population base of nearly 23 million people.
"We have been, and continue to be, big supporters of growth in Colombia and our latest investment further demonstrates our belief in the strength of the Colombian economy and the quality of its people”, said Columbus chairman and CEO Brendan Paddick, in the announcement. “Coupling Lazus’ high quality network infrastructure with our Columbus Business Solutions suite of services will enable Columbus to deliver next generation, business class telecom services to the rapidly growing business community in Colombia. We look forward to welcoming Lazus, its customers and its 190 highly talented professionals into the Columbus family."
