According to the Sunday Telegraph, the British operator CABLE & WIRELESS is close to an agreement with SINGTEL - SINGAPORE TELECOMMUNICATIONS to sell it the Australian OPTUS (stock market capitalization of US$ 7.5 bn). The cost of the transaction is said to be US$ 9.97 bn, half in cash and the other half in shares. OPTUS is held to the tune of 52.5% by CABLE & WIRELESS, the remainder being in the hands of the public.