Digicel Rebrands Curaçao Telecom With Committed Investment in Excess of US$ 10 Million

MAY 22nd, 2006 – WILLEMSTAD, CURAÇAO: Digicel, the fastest growing mobile telecommunications company in the Caribbean, has heralded the launch of Digicel Curaçao today with the offer of the most innovative and widest range of products and services, excellent customer care, unbeatable coverage and best competitive rates to be experienced on the island.Since the company entered the Curaçao market through its acquisition of Curaçao Telecom N.V. last year, Digicel has committed an investment of in excess of US$10 m (Nafls. 17.8M) over a two-year period from 2005. The investment has been focused on expansion and upgrading of the network to Digicel’s signature quality and reliability as well as supporting a shared vision with the Curaçao management team to become the leading wireless telecommunications provider on the island.

Attending a free outdoor ‘Digicel is Here’ concert in the historical Dutch center of Willemstad on the banks of St Anna Bay on Sunday (May 21st), Digicel Founder and Chairman, Mr Denis O’Brien said: “Curaçao is an important market for Digicel as we reinforce our mission to create a seamless pan Caribbean GSM network. With our imminent launch in Bonaire we look forward to becoming the first mobile operator to connect all three ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao) and are committed to driving technology innovation across the Netherlands Antilles.

“For far too long the people of Curaçao have had to put up with outdated wireless solutions. We have set the stage to bring the people of the Netherlands Antilles into a new era of cost efficient and cutting-edge mobile communications as well as seamless service as they travel across the Caribbean and beyond,� he added.

Digicel Curaçao is offering crystal clear coverage in Bandabou and Bandariba, areas that traditionally have until this point not enjoyed the benefits of comprehensive mobile coverage. The company is also employing the latest cutting edge technology in their 24/7 high-tech Digicel customer care center ensuring each call is answered in no less than 30 seconds.

Consistently first to market with innovative products and services, Digicel Curaçao customers will enjoy prepaid international roaming services to the Caribbean, US and Holland, attractive Digicel to Digicel rates anywhere on the network, an expansive range of cutting-edge handsets as well as the option of international SMS via Yahoo or MSN. The pan Caribbean company has over 235 international roaming partners in 113 countries.

“Digicel’s customer centric approach has lead to success and increased market-share in every country we have entered so far� said CEO for Digicel Netherlands Antilles, Mr Hans Lute. “We are launching today with an unprecedented best value offer of ANG0.33 after the first minute for Digicel calls as well as offering prepaid customers a 33% discount on Top Ten international destinations. We will continue to bring a new range of services underpinned by a reliable and world class network, innovation and responsive customer care and demonstrate a commitment to the people of Curaçao through active participation in this vibrant community� he added.

With over US$1 billion invested in the Caribbean, Digicel is the largest mobile operator in the region with a seamless pan Caribbean network of 20 Caribbean countries and employment of close to 2000 people.

Source: Digicel