CWC.L Share News (CWC)

LONDON, Nov 6 (Reuters) - Cable & Wireless Communications said it had agreed to buy Columbus Intl, aprivately-owned fibre-based telecoms provider in the Caribbean,Central America and Andean region, for $1.85 billion.

C&W, which said the deal would extend its presence in theregion, said it would place new shares of nearly 10 percent ofits capital to help fund the deal.

Phil Bentley, C&W's chief executive, said the deal woulddeliver a step change in growth and returns.

"Together, we will create the best-in-class quad-playoffering in the region, delivered on a superior mobile, fibreand subsea network," he said.

(Reporting by Paul Sandle; editing by Sarah Young)