Cable & Wireless Optus is keeping the identity of prospective buyers under tight wraps, amidst speculation that Vodafone has raised the stakes with a AU$18 billion bid for Australia's number two telco.
"Cable & Wireless Optus advises that it has received a number of serious expressions of interest in regard to the company's Strategic Review," a company statement said.
"The expression of interest process has not yet closed and all expressions of interest are confidential, preliminary and indicative in nature."
The statement was released after media speculation that UK-based telecommunications giant Vodafone has lodged a proposal, in the region of AU$18 billion and AU$24 billion, for C&W Optus.
Competitive issues would arise if the deal went ahead, with Vodafone leap-frogging Telstra to the top of the mobile phone subscriber market.
It is believed interested parties other than Vodafone include Singtel and Telecom Corporation of New Zealand.
C&W Optus stock, which has been sliding down the stockmarket ladder for the last month, spiked 33 cents to AU$3.74 in morning trade.
The telco declined to make further comment.
