eircom
On 23 May 2006 BCM and its investment partners through BCM Ireland Holdings Limited (BCMIH) made a successful A$8 billion "recommended" offer for eircom, Ireland's dominant provider of telecommunications services. This offer made in conjunction with the eircom Employee Share Ownership Trust (ESOT) was overwhelmingly approved by eircom shareholders on 26 July 2006. Full ownership was acquired on 18 August 2006.
BCM's share of the eircom investment is 57.1% representing an equity investment of A$448 million. Associates of Babcock & Brown hold a further 7.9%, and eircom employees hold the remaining 35% through their ESOT.
eircom owns Ireland’s copper and fibre backbone telecommunications network. It is the largest provider of fixed line wholesale and retail telecommunication services in Ireland with the leading broadband market share. eircoms mobile business has a rapidly growing share of the mobile market.
BCM's plan is to leverage the existing eircom business platform by capitalising on the strength of the Irish economy and being highly customer focused. The eircom management team's primary objectives are to maintain the mobile growth trajectory and build broadband growth, while sustaining the fundamentals of the underlying fixed line business and achieving an efficient cost base.
Please click here to access all ASX announcements in relation to the eircom offer.
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July 1999
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Initial eircom float
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March 2001
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eircom sells mobile business to Vodafone
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November 2001
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eircom acquired by Valentia consortium
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March 2004
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eircom re-floated on the Irish and London Stock Exchanges
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July 2005
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eircom buys the Meteor mobile business, the third participant in the market
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October 2005
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BCM and associates acquire 12.5% of eircom via a rights issue
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October 2005
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eircom approached by Swisscom
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November 2005
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Swisscom bid withdrawn due to Swiss Government veto on major acquisitions
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March 2006
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BCM approach
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June 2006
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BCM held 27.1% of eircom
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August 2006
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Scheme approved. BCM held 57.1% of eircom
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Further information on eircom can be found on: www.eircom.ie / www.eircom.com