Digicel Group, the mobile telecommunications company run by Denis O’Brien, has expanded into Guyana, its 21st market in the pan-Caribbean region.
The company is set to receive a licence from the government of Guyana to operate a GSM network in the country following a public consultation process.
The move will see Digicel invest in state-of-the-art infrastructure in the south American nation, where mobile penetration is approximately 22pc among the 800,000 population, and has already had the president of the country using words like “customer-centric”.
“We are excited about Digicel’s entry into Guyana and certainly looking forward to reaping the benefits of its customer-centric focus and innovative mobile telecommunications,” said President of Guyana Bharrat Jagdeo.
The launch comes in the wake of recent expansion by Digicel into neighbouring French Guiana and Trinidad & Tobago.
The operation will be headed by Tim Bahrani. Prior to joining Digicel, he held senior management positions at major African mobile firm Celtel and Millicom International in Asia.
Colm Delves, Digicel Group CEO, said: “This license will enable Digicel to contribute to Guyana’s economic growth through job creation, sponsorships and community-building initiatives.”
Digicel has invested US$21bn in the Caribbean over the past five years and employs 2,000 staff.
By Niall Byrne
