Monday, July 24, 2006

Customers get their phones from the new digital store.

Digicel continued its expansion across the Caribbean last week when the mobile telecommunications operator launched its services in the Netherlands Antilles island of Bonaire, heralding, the firm said,  a new era of choice and competition for mobile customers. The company's launch marks a significant milestone for Aruba, Bonaire and Cura�ao, connecting for the first-time ever the three (ABC) islands under one seamless GSM network, said the mobile operator in a statement about the opening.

With an initial investment of US$2 million, Digicel said it was delivering to customers high value offerings, such as pre-paid roaming, "Call Me" text messaging option, multi-media messaging, free activation and cutting-edge handsets for as low as $49 NaFl (U.S. $28.00).

The Caribbean company said it is focused on becoming Bonaire's number one mobile provider of choice and recently opened three retail stores and 110 top-up locations on the island.

In celebration of the launch, a "Digicel is Here!" free public concert was hosted on Friday 14 July in the island's capital of Kralendijk.

"We are pleased to bring to the Netherlands Antilles ABC islands superior choice, reliable nationwide coverage, high value mobile services and the best in technology innovation," said Hans Lute, CEO of Digicel Netherlands Antilles.

"We are very committed to growing our business operations, bringing mobile competition to this region and delivering on our goal of becoming the number one mobile provider of choice".

In April 2006, Digicel entered the Bonaire market through its acquisition of majority shareholding in Antilliano Por NV. The company has operated in the Netherlands Antilles since its 2002 launch in Aruba.

In March 2005, Digicel acquired Cura�ao Telecom, which was recently re-branded as Digicel.

Kenneth Gijsbertha, Minister of Transport and Communications for the Netherlands Antilles commended Digicel for building a pan-Netherlands Antilles network that bridges the technology divide from one country to the next.

"We welcome Digicel to Bonaire, finally the ABC islands are now united," said the Minister.

"The entry of Digicel into the Bonaire market represents the fall of monopoly and the rise of real competition. Competition promises to bring better service, more innovation and most importantly of all, lower rates for the mobile customer in Bonaire" added Minister Gijsbertha.

Digicel's Bonaire operations are led by Bert Schreuders, former Digicel Head of Customer Relations Netherlands Antilles.

Digicel currently has operations in 20 Caribbean markets. With more than 2 million subscribers, the company's investment in the Caribbean currently stands at more than US$1 billion.

Bonaire has a population of 10, 791 and is situated off the coast of Venezuela, part of ABC island group (Aruba, Bonaire, Cura�ao). The capital is Kralendijk and it has an area of 111 Square Miles. The languages spoken there include Papiamento, English, Spanish, and Dutch. The basic twin pillars of the economy include tourism and off shore finance.

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