WILLEMSTAD--At the beginning of next year it should become clear who will be the sought-after strategic partner of United Telecommunication Services (UTS) said Curaçao Minister of Traffic, Transport and Spatial Planning Zita Jesus Leito.
A committee is working on the partial take-over by a capable party of the government-owned company in which St. Maarten also has a minority share. UTS has hit hard financial times mainly due to the increased use of the Internet to make free calls and is in the process of laying off about half its staff
Papiamento-language morning newspaper Bala had claimed that Columbus, the parent company of regional cable provider FLOW, would become the new partner. The minister did not want to say more than that the committee is currently in discussion with one candidate.
Dutch-language evening daily Amigoe reported talks with Liberty Latin America, which apparently owns Cable and Wireless under which Columbus/Flow operates.
