Australian Bank Acquires Taiwan Broadband Comm From Carlye.

(From Taiwan Economic News)

Taipei, Dec. 22, 2005 (CENS)--Macquarie Bank of Australia recently confirmed reports that it has signed a pact to acquire Taiwan Broadband Communications Co. from Carlye Group of the United States for A$1.19 billion (US$880 million at US$1:A$1.4). The bank will keep 60% of the cable-TV operator's equity, which was totally valued at NT$17 billion (US$515 million at US$1:NT$33), and sell the remaining portion to Taiwanese cable-TV operators on grounds that Taiwan's cable-TV regulations rule that foreign investors cannot own 100% of a local cable-TV operator. Macquarie already approached local cable-TV operators including the Eastern Group, …