Digicel to create 100 high-quality jobs

Thursday 11, February, 2010: Digicel Pacific, the fastest growing telecommunications operator in the Pacific, strongly welcomed the decision of the Minister for Communications in French Polynesia to award Digicel a “Telecommunications Operator’s Licence” for the country.

The announcement was made on Thursday, 11 February by Minster M. Teva Rohfritsch and confirms that Digicel Pacific, who already operate in six countries in the region, is now eligible to launch GSM operations in the country in the near future.

Digicel is committed to launching a nationwide state-of-the-art GSM network offering affordable communications solutions to the wider population. Initial launch plans would see Digicel create over one hundred high-quality jobs for locals with a further 500 expected to gain employment, indirectly, through the retail and distribution network.   Digicel will work alongside other operators to offer choice and to enhance and develop French Polynesia’s telecommunications infrastructure and to drive economic development for the country and the region.    

 The Minister also outlined details of a Government led consultation process, which Digicel will actively participate in, to develop a framework for telecommunications competition for French Polynesia.

Digicel Pacific, CEO Vanessa Slowey praised the Government of French Polynesia and said of the announcement:,

“Digicel is delighted to have been awarded a Telecoms Operator’s Licence for French Polynesia and will immediately begin our plans to launch in French Polynesia.  The Government clearly recognises Digicel’s expertise and professionalism gained from launching and operating networks and services in 32 markets worldwide including Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guiana.

“Digicel strongly believes in the importance of partnership and we want to work closely with the Government, operators and other stakeholders, to enhance and develop telecommunications within the region to the benefit of all.  We have already established strong local relationships through our local partner, Gilbert Wane, and we are very grateful for the huge support we have received from across the country to-date.” continued Ms. Slowey.

French Polynesian partner of Digicel, Gilbert Wane, also welcomed the announcement “The awarding of the Operator’s Licence to Digicel is another step forward for the company and for French Polynesia. Digicel’s experience and track record in the Pacific and the benefits which the company has brought to the countries in which it operates is a very exciting prospect for French Polynesia.”

“Digicel has brought significant improvements to mobile telecommunications services across the Pacific and has provided an important boost to local economies,” continued Wane.

Digicel Pacific is now firmly established as the region’s fastest growing network with six operations in the region.  Digicel’s launch in Samoa in November 2006 was followed by Papua New Guinea in July 2007, Tonga in May 2008 and Vanuatu in June 2008. Fiji became the fifth market in the Pacific in October 2008 while Nauru was launched in August 2009 bringing mobile communications to the country for the first time.

Digicel is the largest mobile operator in the Caribbean and a recent entrant to the Central American mobile market.  Digicel has 10.3 million subscribers across 32 markets.

ENDS

ABOUT DIGICEL PACIFIC

Since its launch in the South Pacific in November 2006, Digicel has become the fastest-growing mobile operator in the Pacific, with current operations in Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Nauru.

Digicel is the largest telecommunications company in the Caribbean operating in 32 markets worldwide, as well as a new entrant to Central America. The company is renowned for competitive rates, unbeatable coverage, and superior customer care, a wide variety of products and services, and state-of-the-art handsets.