CHIEF Executive Officer (CEO) of Digicel Guyana, Mr. Gregory Dean said, Tuesday, that, in terms of coverage, the company has 95 per
cent of the population covered and can, safely, boast of being the “bigger, better network.” Reviewing 2010, at a press conference, in his Fort and Barrack Streets, Kingston, Georgetown headquarters, he said the utility is
very proud to be the first to employ solar technology in this country, with the successful establishment of three sites.
Announcing that two more are expected to be commissioned in 2011, Dean said: “So far, the solar powered sites have been working well,
because we have had no negative feedback from our customers and, at the end of this process, we hope that this would conclude all our
work, in terms of expansion in the North West District.”
He said the main aim of Digicel is to roll out its network to customers in Guyana and reported that, from a network point of view, it
has been doing a lot of work behind the scenes, including upgrading and improving the capacity and services countrywide, with the
addition of newer products as well.
Dean said, during the latter part of this year, Digicel expanded into outlying areas and has taken its service to Wakapoa, Kwebanna
and Red Hill, while still hoping to get to Ituni by the end of this week.
He said, unfortunately, the company will not be able to take its service to Matthews Ridge, also in North West District, as was
expected but would do so in the second week of January and look to other destinations in 2011.
Dean said, overall, Digicel has invested US$60M and has constantly upgraded its network since coming to Guyana.
Asked to comment on imminent legislation, he said, although company officials have not had an opportunity to get feedback on it, in a
way, they feel that liberalisation of the communication system is long overdue.
Dean said the time for talking and going back and forth is past and it is time to liberalise the market.
Benefits
“We all acknowledge that there are benefits from liberalising the market. So, for me and Digicel, let us get on and do it.”
He said, since coming to Guyana, Digicel extolled the virtues of competition and, as such, is not afraid and ready for the challenge
from any.
Dean added that Digicel is happy with competition, because it forces those involved to be better and is a challenge it fully
supports.
“Digicel has no concerns with a fully liberalised market and other companies coming into the market, because it has maintained its
customer base with over 250,000 customers,” he stated.
Alluding to its promotions, Dean said the ‘Free Zone’ was started last February, the ‘Spin n Win’ in August and the ‘Magic Numbers’,
which began this month and will end on Christmas Day.
He said, since 2007, Digicel has been pushing the ‘Blackberry’ service here and is happy to report favourable response with newer
customers utilising it this year.
Dean reminded that the company has been engaged in several charitable ventures, among them support for the Haiti Relief Fund and the
Pakistan Relief Fund, with monetary contributions.
He said Digicel is also supportive of several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and concluded its annual charity drive for
children.
With regard to sports and entertainment, Dean said Digicel has supported ‘squash’ this year and contributed to athletics, cricket and
football, to which it is committed to in 2011.
He said staff development will be the focus in 2011 and would allow personnel at both the headquarters and retail locations to
fulfill their potential within the company.
Dean said the company was successful in filling all its vacancies and has recognised the need to do a lot more, as it relates to
training, too.