IN a significant development for Guyana’s telecommunications sector, Digicel, a key player in the industry, has announced ambitious plans to expand its fibre optic network across the country and hire more Guyanese.

This move is slated to create a plethora of job opportunities for the local population, reinforcing Digicel’s commitment to Guyana’s economic and social development.

The announcement came during the launch of Digicel’s Anniversary promotion at the Pegasus Hotel, where Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Deonarine Gopaul, addressed a gathering, shedding light on the company’s journey and plans locally.

Having established its presence in Guyana 17 years ago under the banner: “The bigger, better network,” Digicel has become one of the nation’s premier service providers.

This year, as the company celebrated another milestone with its anniversary promotion, Digicel is not just looking back at its achievements but also looking forward, with ambitious plans that extend beyond promotions and competitions.

The ongoing promotion, which concludes on February 25, features cash awards and consolation prizes across various competitions and shopping sprees. However, Digicel’s vision encompasses much more than temporary giveaways.

During his speech, Gopaul reminisced about Digicel’s 17-year tenure in Guyana, highlighting the continuous effort to remain at the forefront of the telecommunications industry.
“In seventeen years, it is easy to become complacent and not improve ourselves. But today, we are still the bigger, better network,” Gopaul stated.

He further underscored Digicel’s accomplishments by referencing the prestigious Ookla Speed Test Award, which recognized Digicel as the best mobile network in Guyana.

The core of Gopaul’s address was the expansion of Digicel’s fibre optic network, a project that has seen the company grow by over 30 per cent in recent years.

With plans to further expand, Digicel anticipates creating more job opportunities for Guyanese, aiming to double its staff in the coming years.
“Regarding job creation, we have new jobs and additional staff. We grew about 30 per cent in the last year, and we plan to double our staff in the coming years,” Gopaul elaborated.

Digicel’s CEO highlighted the company’s social commitment to Guyana. Despite the commercial challenges of providing service in less profitable areas, Digicel has pledged to continue offering coverage across the country, including remote interior regions.

Gopaul emphasised the importance of social needs over commercial profitability, stating: “It is not always about the commercial need but also the social need. The people in the interior do not have coverage of mobile phones, and we felt the need that we needed to provide service there. Some of the coverage areas are not making money per se, but we are still providing coverage.”

Digicel’s announcement of network expansion and job creation marks a significant milestone in its commitment to Guyana. By investing in infrastructure and the local workforce, Digicel is not only enhancing its service offerings but also contributing to the nation’s economic and social development.

As Digicel continues to grow, it remains dedicated to being ‘The bigger, better network,’ serving the people of Guyana with excellence and innovation, the company said.