Linehan... we intend to replicate the revolution that Digicel brought about in the mobile market

Digicel says that it will roll-out its 'DigiTV' digital television service next year having received an islandwide subscriber television (STV) licence, subject to the finalisation of terms and conditions, by the Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica.

The Commission has submitted its recommendation to Minister of Information Olivia 'Babsy' Grange following its invitation for wireless STV licence applications in June. Caribbean Business Report (CBR) has not received confirmation of the approval from the Ministry.

Mark Linehan, chief executive officer of Digicel Jamaica said that DigiTV could eventually broadcast elsewhere in the Caribbean, where the Irish company already operates in 23 markets having launched as a mobile service provider in Jamaica in 2001. DigiTV is the brand name of Digital Interactive Services Limited (DISL), which is a joint venture between Digicel Jamaica, content providers DC Digital and FIMI Wireless who will be the retailer.

"We are considering exploring opportunities across the region. However, this being a new business area for DISL, we are very excited about the possibilities STV holds for Jamaica; and are concentrating our efforts here at first...DISL wants to bring true choice in TV to the people of Jamaica. We intend to replicate the revolution that Digicel brought about in the mobile market in 2001 in the STV market." said Linehan.

DigiTV will use Digital Video Broadcasting - Terrestrial
(DVB-T) technology, a service which DC Digital already offers, with the signal transmitted from antenna to antenna rather than fixed analogue cable. DVB-T will allow DigiTV to reach Jamaicans who live in remote areas previously inaccessible by fixed line cable providers, while computers and mobile phones can use adapters to receive the signal.

Entering the STV market Digicel could renew competition with LIME, which also applied for a wireless STV licence. Errol Miller, LIME vice-president for corporate relations said that he had no comment at this stage. Having re-branded from Cable & Wireless, the new identity of the former monopoly telecommunications provider speaks to its provision of landline, Internet, mobile and entertainment (television) services.

Digicel last year launched its 'Mobile TV' service which enables subscribers to view local programming on their handsets and has also branched out into TV production with its Rising Stars talent show broadcast via Television Jamaica (TVJ) and Fame and Fortune on CVM-TV. Meanwhile, the then C&W partnered with MTV to launch the Caribbean music channel Tempo in 2006.

Bernard Henry, CEO of FIMI Wireless said that widespread familiarity with the Digicel brand would boost comsumer acceptance of DigiTV. Digicel has over 1.9 million islandwide subscribers to its mobile service, whose products are sold at FIMI Wireless retail outlets. "Our customers are going to be assured that they are getting a good service and that it's going to be plugged into their islandwide coverage," said Henry who added that it was too early to discuss the DigiTV retail strategy.

The venture promises an emphasis on local and regional content.

"We are aggregating the content from both international and local providers but our focus, contrary to existing cable programming, will be focusing on local content. This should create opportunities for producers here and in the Caribbean - it's not just about getting in your normal HBOs," said DC Digital CEO David Cassanova.

With the convergence of media and telecommunications there will be further synergies with existing Digicel products and services, said Linehan.

"DISL aspires to be the brand that will bring you television content for every screen; your mobile screen, your computer screen and now your TV screen. The mobile phone will become a more powerful tool. The window of opportunity for more business ventures increases with the introduction of subscriber TV as we see it. Opportunities for pay-per-view, T-Commerce (television commerce), etc. will all be possible."

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