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| The Price of Freedom is Eternal Vigilance - John F. Kennedy |
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Digicel Expansion To Continue In 2006 |
| Publishing date: 13.01.2006 11:58 |
Kingston, Jamaica January 9, 2005, - Digicel Group, the fastest growing mobile telecommunications operator in the Caribbean, announced today its intention to aggressively grow and expand in 2006 to broaden its Pan-Caribbean wireless network into new regions and services.
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Vanessa Slowey
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“Our growth strategy for next year is built on the tremendous success and momentum developed during 2005,” said Mr. Colm Delves, CEO of Digicel Group. “From our employees’ ability to provide the best customer service to our investments in our networks, new licenses and operations, we have created one of the Caribbean’s best-known brands and we have changed the face of telecommunications across the region.”
Anguilla’s success story has mirrored Digicel’s success in other markets. “We felt that the local market was ripe for competition and our market share thus far confirms that,” commented Vanessa Slowey, Anguilla’s Country Manager.
With operations in 15 countries, covering a population of 14 million people, Digicel ended the year with the company’s total investment in the region reaching US$1 billion, a new tag-line “Expect More, Get More,” and the initial launch of WiMAX broadband service in the Cayman Islands. As part of Digicel’s portfolio of innovative products, the WiMax offering will roll-out to other regions in the New Year supported by Digicel’s top-rated customer service and support, an area of strength that grew in 2005 and reinforced Digicel’s position as the largest GSM mobile provider in the region.
With a unique combination of bold deal making, intense customer focus, attention to detail, and speed to market -- Digicel achieved a number of milestones in 2005 which lay the platform for sustained growth in 2006 and beyond. These include:
• Significant New Licenses and Acquisitions: In the second and third quarters of 2005, Digicel secured licenses to operate in Haiti and Trinidad & Tobago. In addition, Digicel acquired Curaçao Telecom and the assets and licenses of Cingular Wireless in Bermuda and the Caribbean. The Cingular acquisition in the region expanded Digicel’s network to Bermuda, Anguilla, St. Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, and Dominica and provided licenses in the French West Indies of Martinique, Guadeloupe, St Martin and St Barths. It also strengthened Digicel’s presence in areas with existing operations including The Cayman Islands, Grenada, St. Lucia, Barbados and St. Vincent & the Grenadines. Digicel expects to launch services in both Trinidad & Tobago and Haiti in early 2006.
• Major Bond Offering: Digicel raised US$300 million in one of the most successful bond offerings of the year. The deal, led by Citigroup and JP Morgan was oversubscribed and attracted more than US$3 billion in orders. The use of proceeds from the offering include financing the company’s major expansion plans.
• Sponsorship Activation: As the title sponsor of the West Indies Cricket team, this year marked the first ever Digicel Home Series and the Digicel sponsorship of the West Indies Cricket “A” Team tour to Sri Lanka. Digicel also completed its first year as the title sponsor of the region’s football tournament, the Digicel Caribbean Cup.
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