ROAD TOWN, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS – Digicel, the fastest-growing mobile operator in the Caribbean and new entrant to Central America, has been granted a mobile license to operate a GSM network in the British Virgin Islands (BVI). The license comes after the liberalization process initiated by the Government of BVI in early 2005.
The British Virgin Islands is expected to become Digicel’s 24th market and the Caribbean mobile operator has earmarked US$15 million as its initial investment to build a state-of-the-art network offering close to 100% population coverage. The company, which will directly employ 20 people in BVI while creating hundreds of indirect jobs, also plans to become involved in a range of sponsorships, and social and community initiatives.
As the third entrant into the BVI mobile market, Digicel is expected to create positive mobile competition and drive mobile telecommunications development while delivering more choice, competitive pricing, and technological innovation for BVI mobile customers.
“Digicel’s goal is to become the number one mobile operator in the British Virgin Islands and we expect to rapidly roll out services in this market. BVI is a welcomed addition to our seamless pan Caribbean network,” said Digicel Group CEO Colm Delves.
“We look forward to spurring competition, providing better coverage and better value to BVI mobile customers and visitors as well as being an active member of this community,” added Colm Delves.
With a thriving tourism industry, the British Virgin Islands has one of the most prosperous economies in the Caribbean. BVI covers a group of 16 inhabited and more than 20 uninhabited islands, with the main islands being Tortola, Anegada, Virgin Gorda and Jost van Dyke.
