Hutch Sri Lanka, which overcome a near 3-month hurdle to clear its 4G equipment from the Colombo Port, is merging with Etisalat, according to an official announcement.
It said Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison and UAE-based Etisalat have agreed to merge their mobile businesses in Sri Lanka, operating under the names Hutch Lanka and Etisalat Lanka.
The companies said that the combined business should be better positioned to serve their Sri Lankan customers. The deal is part of Etisalat’s stated strategy of portfolio optimization, according to an official statement on Thursday.
Official sources said Hutch, ready to launch its 4G offering in 2019, was allegedly blocked in the release of the equipment and finally succeeded in March.
Meanwhile Hutchison will have the majority and controlling stake in the combined entity. The completion of the transaction is subject to a number of conditions precedent, including securing the necessary competition and regulatory approvals in Sri Lanka.
The takeover would see the market reduced to four from five mobile operators – Dialog (the market leader) Mobitel, Hutch and Airtel.