Denis O’Brien’s mobile venture Digicel has been labelled the No 1 mobile operator across the Caribbean region, having bagged 700,000 more customers in the region than its closest rival Cable & Wireless.
Digicel Group’s subscriber growth over the last 12 months to 31 March 2007 was 144pc and the company now has 4.7 million customers across 22 markets.
The company achieved 50pc growth in 12 markets – including Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, the Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Veincent & the Grenadines, Turks & Caicos as well as Trinidad & Tobago.
“Becoming the No 1 mobile community in the Caribbean after just six years of operation is not only an outstanding achievement by our people but a significant milestone for Digicel,” said Digicel chief executive Colm Delves.
“Our presence into the Caribbean market has demonstrated that competition benefits everyone. Digicel thrives in a competitive mobile environment and remains committed to driving mobile growth in the Caribbean market. Our continued focus is to deliver our customers the very best value, best services and best choice compared with our competitors.”
Digicel’s investment in the Caribbean and Central American region exceeds US$1.5bn and the company currently employs 3,000 people.
In February this year billionaire Denis O’Brian acquired a 100pc stake in the company he founded after raising a bond of US$1.4bn.
The company recorded revenues of US$948m for the six months ended in September 2006. The company started operations in Jamaica less than six years ago.
By John Kennedy
