DIGICEL Guyana on Sunday announced that it has switched on its state-of-the-art mobile service in Jumbie Creek in Potaro-Siparuni, Region 8, completing the second phase of the company’s major service expansion project.

The completion of this phase, which included six new site launches and service upgrades, now brings Digicel closer to achieving its ninety-eight percent population coverage target by year-end.

The Jumbie Creek site came on air in April 2013, and residents have since enjoyed one month of service. Digicel’s launch in Jumbie Creek now gives coverage throughout the trail from 47 Miles to Mahdia.

Residents in areas such as Tumatumari, Micobie, Cassava Hill and Mousie now have access to first world mobile service. The 400 foot tower which is located on Look Out Mountain is to date Digicel’s highest tower point overtaking Matthews Ridge. The tower sits on a 344 foot hill and is referred to as the “Tower in the Clouds”. This is also the latest in the line of solar towers to be rolled out by the company and was by far the company’s most difficult installation due to the gradient and access to the hill.

Digicel Guyana’s Chief Executive Officer, Gregory Dean, underscored Digicel’s significant contribution to propelling Guyana into the mobile communications era.

“With greater demands for internet and social media on the go, mobile communications are critical. We have given thousands of residents in remote communities access to the latest mobile devices, innovative promotions and first world communication services,” Dean commented.

New sites completed in the just-concluded roll out phase include Omai, La Parfaite Harmonie, Eccles, Matthew’s Ridge and a second Lethem site. Some heavily utilised sites in Georgetown were also upgraded. The new phase will also include upgrades to existing sites.

Despite being the newer entrant in the Guyana market, Digicel was able to exceed its competitor‘s coverage after only three years of service in Guyana. Digicel has coverage in a number of remote communities across Guyana, including Red Hill, Wakapau, Santa Rosa, Port Kaituma, Matthew’s Ridge, Mabaruma, Mahdia, Kwakwani, 58 Miles, Ituni, Omai, Jumbie Creek, Kwebana, and Lethem.

“We have already begun work on the next phase of this year’s expansion project. This phase includes the launch of seven new sites which will bring the population coverage to 98% and also see major upgrades of several key sites to meet the growing service demands,” Dean concluded.