KINGSTON, JAMAICA-After filling up 2005 with various acquisitions and an initial launch of WiMAX services, Caribbean carrier Digicel Group plc announced plans to expand wireless service into Haiti and Trinidad & Tobago, plus roll out more WiMAX offerings in 2006.
The company, which has operations in 15 countries and covers a population of 14 million people, reported that it had invested nearly $1 billion in the region during the past year. The carrier secured new licenses and acquired Cingular Wireless L.L.C.’s Caribbean network assets, and has also raised $300 million in a bond offering to fund its expansion plans.
“Our growth strategy for the next year is built on the tremendous success and momentum developed during 2005,” said Colm Delves, chief executive officer of Digicel Group.
Digicel said it expects to start offering wireless services in early 2006 in Haiti and Trinidad & Tobago, where it recently obtained licenses to operate. The company also conducted a three-month WiMAX broadband pilot project in the Cayman Islands last year and has said that it plans to expand WiMAX offerings in the Caribbean this year into Barbados and Jamaica.
