CASTRIES, St. Lucia (AP) - Digicel, which already operates in St Lucia, said yesterday, it has won government approval to acquire the operations of Cingular Wireless in St Lucia.

The Irish mobile provider announced plans in June to expand its nine-country Caribbean network by acquiring Cingular's operations in St. Lucia and four other countries. The terms of the acquisition weren't disclosed.

With the deal approved, Digicel will be able "to grow our subscriber base and offer more value to all our customers" on the Caribbean island, said company CEO for the Eastern Caribbean Kevin White.

Digicel's investment in the Caribbean totals more than US$600 million (euro500 million), and the mobile provider has said it expects to expand its staff by 30 per cent by the end of 2006.

St Lucia's Telecommunications Minister Felix Finisterre said Digicel's acquisition would "support their continued growth on the island and the benefits it brings to consumers and businesses."

Digicel operates in Aruba, Barbados, Curacao, The Cayman Islands, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, St Lucia, and St Vincent. The Cingular purchase will expand Digicel's operations to Bermuda, Anguilla, St Kitts and Nevis, Antigua, and Dominica.

Atlanta, Georgia-based Cingular Wireless is a joint venture of SBC Communications Inc. and BellSouth Corp.

Executive Class

Gardens with Gravel

Death to the Mullet!