Vodafone Fiji granted right to begin operations in PNG

Details of a major deal in the region is expected to be announced within hours as Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister, Peter O'Neill has confirmed today that his cabinet has granted Vodafone the right to begin operations in PNG.

Earlier negotiations involved representatives of PNG's state owned Independent Public Business Corporation, the Asian Development Bank, the PNG super funds, Fiji National Provident Fund and Vodafone Fiji.

It was earlier revealed that they agreed that IPBC would become the majority shareholder with 51% of the shares in bemobile and the Fiji National Provident Fund would invest capital to take a 41% stake.

The National has also said that under the deal, Vodafone Fiji will manage the company under a management contract and the Vodafone brand will be launched in PNG and the Solomons.

In an interview with our sister station in PNG, PNGFM, Peter O'Neill said the PNG government will retain 51% of the shares in Bemobile.

But he said competition in the mobile phone market is coming to PNG.

Story by: Vijay Narayan