Macquarie-backed Viatel Technology Group is reportedly interested in making a move for BT Ireland.

As reported by the Irish Times, Dublin-based technology company Viatel is mulling over a bid for BT's Irish unit, which is on the market for the second time in the last five years.

BT CEO Allison Kirkby reignited plans to sell BT Ireland earlier this year, four years after her predecessor, Philip Jansen, scrapped a deal.

The Irish Times reports that other companies have also shown an interest in BT Ireland, but did not name those parties.

Viatel declined to comment to the publication about the links. Macquarie acquired a significant minority stake in Viatel last December for an undisclosed sum.

Since 2020, Viatel has completed nine acquisitions, with its most recent deal being the purchase of the technology division of print services and security systems group MJ Flood for an estimated €30 million ($32.47m).

Founded in 1990, the company was originally called Esat Telecom, said to be an abbreviation of "Éireann Satellite." BT Ireland sold off its consumer unit to Vodafone in 2009.

BT previously agreed to a deal to sell the unit in 2019, before talks broke down a year later.

At the time, it was reported that a sale could generate between €300 million ($324m) and €400 million ($432m). It's not known how much the unit is currently worth, or how much BT would be looking to sell for.