Published:
Digicel Makes Significant Strides in Cingular Wireless Caribbean and Bermuda Acquisition
Continued Expansion of Digicel Pan-Caribbean GSM Network; Majority of Cingular Wireless Licenses and Operations Transferred in Caribbean and Bermuda
Digicel Group, the fastest growing mobile
telecommunications provider in the Caribbean, today announced that it has
completed its acquisition of seven Cingular Wireless operations in the
Caribbean as well as Bermuda following regulatory approval by the
governments in those islands.
Digicel is now in a position to increase the size of its pan-Caribbean GSM
network to include Bermuda, Anguilla, St Kitts & Nevis and Dominica and has
received regulatory approval for the acquisition of Cingular's operations
on the islands of Grenada, St Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines. The
company looks forward to receiving regulatory approval in the remaining
markets of Barbados, the Cayman Islands and Antigua & Barbuda in the near
future.
According to Informa Telecoms & Media's market projections for the first
quarter of 2005, there were 11.5 million GSM additions for Latin America
and the Caribbean, compared to 3.3 million CDMA additions and a loss of
about 300,000 TDMA customers. GSM growth was close to four times more than
CDMA growth in the same time period. The shrinking trend in the TDMA
customer base was first measured in the region in 4Q 2004. Telecom experts
commenting on the report noted that GSM's family of technologies are a
perfect fit for the Caribbean, providing not only advanced wireless data
services over EDGE networks, but also the scale and scope for affordable
high-quality communications for all demographics.
"Our vision to build a seamless wireless network across the Caribbean is
fast becoming a reality. By leveraging the flexibility and superiority of
GSM technologies, we can offer customers in every country a user experience
that is unmatched and consistent when combined with our superior customer
service and value based offerings," said Mr. Colm Delves, Digicel Group
CEO.
"We are putting into place integration plans that have been developed with
Cingular to ensure that the transition process is as seamless as possible
for Cingular customers allowing them to keep their current benefits as well
as enjoy Digicel's broad range of innovative products and services," he
added.
Digicel has also fully acquired the Cingular Wireless' licenses in Jamaica
as well as network assets in the Netherlands Antilles island of Curaçao
where Digicel already operates following its acquisition of Curaçao Telecom
in March 2005. Digicel's agreement with Cingular Wireless also includes the
planned acquisition of Cingular's licences in the French West Indies
islands of St Martin, Guadeloupe, Martinique and St Barths.
With a vision to establish a seamless pan-Caribbean wireless network,
Digicel's investments in the region have exceeded US$600 million. The
Company recently reached a milestone of over 1,000 employees in its fourth
year of operation and anticipates a 30 percent increase in staff by the end
of 2006, due to subscriber growth and market expansion.
ABOUT DIGICEL
Since its launch in 2001, Digicel has become the fastest growing wireless
telecommunications operator in the Caribbean. In four years, Digicel has
become renowned for competitive rates, unbeatable coverage, superior
customer care, a wide variety of products and services, and
state-of-the-art handsets. It is the largest GSM operator in the region.
By offering innovative wireless services and community support, Digicel has
become a leading brand in the Caribbean and has placed the region at the
cutting edge of wireless communications.
With the recent achievements of new licenses and acquisitions, Digicel is
now set to be operating in the near future in over 15 Caribbean countries,
covering a total population of 14 million people across the region.
Incorporated in Bermuda and currently operating in eight countries
including Aruba, Barbados, Curaçao, The Cayman Islands, Grenada, Jamaica,
St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Digicel looks forward to
launching in Trinidad & Tobago and Haiti as well as entering into the
markets of Bermuda, Anguilla, St Kitts & Nevis, Antigua & Barbuda and
Dominica through its acquisition of Cingular Wireless' Caribbean and
Bermuda operations, subject to regulatory approval. The acquisition will
also allow Digicel licenses in St Martin, Guadeloupe, Martinique and St
Barths.
The company is the lead sponsor of Caribbean sports teams including the
West Indies Cricket Team, Special Olympics teams across the Caribbean and
is title sponsor of the Digicel Caribbean Football Union Cup, which
involves over 30 Caribbean countries and is an important qualifier towards
the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Visit www.digicelgroup.com for more information on
Digicel.
Distributed by Market Wire
Copyright © 2008, MarketWire
Copyright © 2008, NewsBlaze,
Daily News
Tags: ,Telecom:Cable and SatelliteServices, Telecom:Networking, Telecom:TelecommunicationEquipment, Telecom:TelecommunicationServices, Telecom:Wireless, ,TX,KINGSTON, JAMAICA
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