Digicel expands into French West Indies

Philippe Delavaud Collin, General Manager of Bouygues
Telecom Caraibe with Colm Delves, Digicel Group CEO
in Martinique

Monday,  March 13, 2006

The Digicel Group, continues to extend its reach throughout the region with its latest acquisition of Bouygues Telecom Caraibe, the wholly owned subsidiary of Bouygues Telecom with assets in Martinique, Guadeloupe and French Guiana.

Pending the approval of key stakeholders and regulators including Bougyues shareholders, Workers Committee, ARCEP and Bercy, the French Ministry for Finance the regional telecom firm will take a firm hold in the French West Indies.

“Pending all the appropriate and necessary approvals, Digicel will be able to offer a portfolio of innovative products to local customers and visitors throughout these French West Indian territories, all supported by our top-rated customer service and reliable coverage,” said Colm Delves, Group Chief Executive Officer of Digicel .

“Our industry leading service and unmatched customer care continue to put us in a position of strength as we roll-out a seamless pan-Caribbean telecommunications network.”

Bouygues Telecom Caraibe is headquartered in Martinique, and directly employs approximately 80 people. With an established pre-paid and post-paid customer base, Bouygues Telecom Caraibe operates an advanced GSM network that spans across Martinique, Guadeloupe, and French Guiana, three French overseas territories with economies centered on the Euro as their functional currency. 

The markets are home to more than one million people and serve as a popular destination for international tourists. Its coverage areas also include St. Barths and French St. Martin. 

Digicel, will challenge the incumbent Orange Caraibe and only, a new entrant in the French West Indies market. Digicel has successfully taken on Cable & Wireless among other incumbents over the years and rapidly increased its subscriber base by connecting with consumers through its value offerings and exciting brand, the firm said. 

The three new markets will extend Digicel’s brand in the region and further add to its Pan-Caribbean network that has brought state-of-the-art infrastructure and employment opportunities to many Caribbean nations including the emerging market of Haiti. Digicel currently employs more than 1,500 people throughout the Caribbean and its investments in the region surpass US$1 billion. 

This acquisition follows Digicel’s recent completion of its acquisition of Cingular Wireless’ Caribbean and Bermuda operations, which has expanded Digicel to 15 markets covering a total population of 14 million people.

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