Businessman, Denis O’Brien’s Caribbean and South Pacific-based telecom’s company, Digicel is the preferred bidder for up to 15 potential acquisitions in those regions, following its planned stock market flotation early next month.

In a presentation to potential investors by Mr Denis O’Brien and Digicel management, which has been posted online, October 7th has been signalled as the likely flotation date for the company's IPO in New York.

At the mid-price of the $13 to $16 at which the shares will be priced, the flotation will raise approximately $1.7bn after expenses.

Of this, $1.3bn will be used to reduce the company’s sizeable debt leaving $400m to be used principally for acquisitions.

During the presentation, Digicel chief executive, Colm Delves said the company was growing at a compound rate of 45% per year in a potential $3bn market for business data and telecoms solutions.