Hello…Digicel hooks up in Guyana!!!
- Company to invest US$60M
- Seeks substantial subscriber expansion
By Melanie Allicock
Kaieteur News
February 14, 2007
Communications giant, Digicel will be investing a whopping US$60 million here in establishing a new state-of-the-art network, offering exciting firsts to market services for customers as well as establishing the largest mobile customer care centre in the country.
This was announced by the company's Chief Executive Officer, Tim Bahrani at the launch of activities yesterday at Le Meridien Pegasus.
And while it may take some time in assuring cost recovery for this massive investment, the CEO said that the entity's major focus would be on expanding the subscriber base from 22% of the population where it currently stands to in excess of 50% in the not too distant future.
Today, some fifty Digicel stores will be opening their doors to sell a wide range of brand new handsets, including the Motorola F3, Nokia 110 and Konka E100, starting as low as $2,900. Digicel is also introducing the ‘Black Berry' for the first time to the Guyanese market.
To celebrate this launch, customers will receive a free gift and $500 credit with every handset purchased.
The CEO also disclosed plans of establishing satellite connections in areas such as Lethem, Mabaruma, Silver Hill, Salem, Soesdyke, Canal Numbers One and Two, Tuschen and Camp Alpha.
“Digicel is excited to be opening its doors to the Guyanese public by offering them a truly competitive mobile service that meets their daily communications needs.” He added that the network will offer first class coverage, from Springlands to Charity and South to Linden and Bartica.
“We are committed to expanding to more and more communities and becoming the mobile operator of choice in Guyana… The welcome we have received from the Guyanese people has been fantastic and we are looking forward to becoming an active participant in local communities,” Baharani said.
The CEO further pointed out that the establishment of the company here will result in the direct creation of jobs for more than 200 persons.
“Another 18,000 will also benefit from direct unemployment by way of becoming scratch card dealers and so on.”
He disclosed plans of giving back to the country by intensifying and expanding the company's involvement in sports, specifically football and cricket.
Commenting on some of the benefits to be derived from the company, Bahrani assured that the state-of-the-art network will guarantee crystal clear, reliable coverage, which raises the standard of the customers' mobile experience.
In terms of customer care, the CEO disclosed the establishment of a large number of high-tech centres, which will ensure calls are resolved in a fast and efficient manner.
“We will also be offering true per second billing - from the first second a call is made, free voicemail, free activation and free credit with every prepaid phone purchase.”
Roll over minutes, brand new handsets and competitive rates are other features of the company.
In terms of innovation and choice, the company stated that it will offer more ways to top mobile phones through FLEX cards, Direct Top Up, Easy FLEX, Top U Up and CaribFLEX.
Two thousand Top Up locations are already in place around the country, and plans are on stream to expand to 6,000 over the coming year.
Excitement about Digicel's launch in Guyana has been building over the last few weeks with a heightened increase being provided by the much anticipated ‘Experience concert' which takes place this evening at the National Park.
Thousands are expected to attend Digicel's celebratory launch with a number of local artistes due to perform as well as Grammy nominated R&B Hip Hop star, Akon.
Digicel operates 22 markets and has made a total investment in the Caribbean, Central and South American region of more than US$1.5B.
The company has four million customers and recorded subscriber growth in excess of 100% last year.
Since its launch in 2001, Digicel has become the fastest growing wireless telecommunications operator in the Caribbean. The company is renowned for its competitive rates, unbeatable coverage, and superior customer care, along with a wide variety of products and services and state-of-the-art handsets. It is the largest GSM operator in the region.