O'Brien. expects significant growth in the future

The Caribbean's largest mobile telephone service provider, Digicel, is looking to build a US$10-million, state-of-the-art edifice in Kingston, which will house its Caribbean headquarters and a staff complement of 1,000, Caribbean Business Report understands.

The structure will be located on a five-acre plot which is situated between Lady Musgrave Road and Fairway Avenue. This land was previously owned by St Andrew Hotels, which is run by the Issa family. Caribbean Business Report has been reliably informed that the land was sold for US$5 million.

Colm Delves. group chief executive officer

At this point in time, the plans are at an embryonic stage with Digicel putting together blueprints and preparing itself to submit planning permission documents. This project is yet to receive Government approval.

Last week, the mobile telephone service provider celebrated its fifth year of operations in the Caribbean. Digicel, who acquired Cingular's operations in June 2005, has recorded a growth rate of 69 per cent.

"Digicel continues to maintain its position as the fastest growing telecommunications company in the Caribbean, with a compound annualised growth rate of 69 per cent," said Colm Delves, group chief executive officer.

"This record growth rate is unrivalled among the world's other mobile phone providers."

Five years ago, Digicel initiated operations in Kingston, Jamaica. Within just three months of its launch, the company had signed up 100,000 new customers. Digicel Jamaica has recently recorded a milestone of 1.5 million subscribers.

Today, Digicel currently operates in 16 Caribbean countries, covering a total population of 14 million people and employs over 1,500 people across the region.

The Irish-formed company maintains an average market share of 63 per cent across the islands of its existing operations.

Digicel's chairman, Denis O'Brien, expects significant growth in the future. At a press conference held for the recent launch of Digicel Trinidad & Tobago, O'Brien said, "With 10 more Caribbean nations whose telecommunications marketplaces are yet to be liberalised, we expect exponential growth over the next five years.

"Our history shows that if people are under-serviced and dissatisfied, they vote with their fingers and that has happened in every market that Digicel has entered, effectively punishing the incumbent for bad service and high prices for the past 100 years," he added.

Tarrus Riley shoots video for Start Anew

Naomi Campbell to open retrospective photo show

A pleasant evening of music and much more