Digicel, the Caribbean's biggest mobile telephone network provider through its wholly owned subsidiary, Digicel (Panama) has announced that it has won a competitive bid process for a licence to operate a GSM mobile network in Panama.

The highly competitive auction took place on Wednesday, May 7th, with Digicel bidding US$86 million. Digicel's win for a mobile licence in Panama is the latest milestone for the company's expansion efforts in Central America. Digicel currently operates in El Salvador and has plans to launch in Honduras later this year. America Movil also won a licence at a cost of US$73 million.

Digicel is planning significant investment in Panama to build a network and operation that is set to stimulate growth in the mobile market by increasing mobile penetration within the next five years from approximately 60 per cent to 90 per cent. Panama has a total population of more than three million people.

Digicel also expects to contribute to the local Panamanian economy, employing approximately 300 people directly in its operations and leading to the indirect employment of 1000 people.

Speaking from Panama City Colm Delves, Digicel Group CEO, said, "Panama is a very exciting win for us and solidifies our presence in the region. Just as in Honduras and El Salvador there is huge potential for growth in this mobile market, and Digicel looks forward to becoming a strong competitor by delivering superior technology and being passionate about providing the best mobile phone service to customers."

In April 2008, Digicel marked its one-year anniversary of its launch in El Salvador, the Caribbean company's first operation in Central America. In the twelve months Digicel increased its initial investment to US$190 million and now provides more than 95 per cent population coverage to reach communities previously underserved by competitors.

Digicel Central America Holdings Limited is owned by Denis O'Brien, as is Digicel Group Limited and Digicel South Pacific Limited.

Speaking with Caribbean Business Report late last night, Delves said: "Panama is a market we have been looking at for a number of years. We are now anticipating a seemless interconnection process with both Cable & Wireless and Telefonica, who are the existing mobile players in Panama.

"We see big opportunities with the current penetration of 60 per cent and we expect to get that up to 90 per cent within the next three to five years. As usual we will be bringing better coverage, better quality and better value.Our CEO for Central America, Donal O'Shaughnessy continues to do a fantastic job in the region as we increase market share there."

Junaid Munshi is Digicel's new commercial director

CEO of Digicel Jamaica, David Hunter has announced the appointment of Junaid Munshi to the position of commercial director, effective May 1, 2008. He replaces Harry Smith, who was instrumental in helping Digicel become the country's leading mobile telephone service provider and in the process revolutioned marketing in Jamaica.

As commercial director, Junaid will have the key responsibility of delivering on the commercial goals of the Jamaican operations by developing and implementing new products with a particular emphasis on Broadband. Additionally, he will oversee the Marketing, Products and Pricing; Retail and Consumer Sales departments. He will report to David Hunter, CEO Digicel Jamaica.

Junaid is an astute marketing professional, with a proven track record of delivering results in the mobile telecommunications environment across three diverse markets - South Africa, Tanzania and Mozambique. He joins us from Vodacom Mozambique, where he held the position of managing executive: Marketing for over two (2) years and was directly responsible for all aspects of the Brand, Products & Services, Strategies and Corporate and Social Responsibility initiatives. Prior to moving to Vodacom Mozambique, he was marketing director for fourteen months with Vodacom Tanzania and had the key responsibility for overall brand management, products and services strategies and corporate and social initiatives. He also held Senior Marketing positions with CELL C - South Africa and Eskom Telecommunications in South Africa.

Junaid is a graduate of the Wits Business School, Johannesburg, South Africa, from which he received a Master of Business Administration (MBA). He also holds a Graduate Diploma in Engineering Management from the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa and a Bachelor of Science (Electrical Engineering) from University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.

Feeding the multitude

DANGEROUS PETS

Pepper Pot