FT sells cellular unit to Digicel

Jamaica-based mobile group Digicel has acquired France Telecom’s wholly owned Orange-branded cellular business in Dominica, leaving the Caribbean island with just two wireless companies, Associated Press reports. Digicel confirmed the development although it declined to divulge the terms of the deal or how many subscribers it would add as a result of the takeover. Digicel spokeswoman Antonia Graham said the firm would begin switching Orange Dominica customers to its network over the next few days. Digicel’s acquisition of the ailing cellco puts it into a head-to-head fight with Cable & Wireless (LIME). According to TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database, at the end of June 2009 the island was home to an estimated 93,000 mobile users, up from 91,113 at the start of the year, giving a cellular penetration of well over 125%.