DIGICEL, which claims to be the bigger, better network, was, on Thursday night, named winner of the ‘Best Operator in a Developing Market’ in the World Communications Awards 2010.
The announcement was made at a glittering ceremony in the London, England Park Lane Hilton Hotel, where Digicel faced strong competition from Etisalat Misr, Ezecom, Gateway Communications, Orange and Viettel Cambodia.
Winners in other categories on that occasion included Bharti Airtel, BT Global Services and Verizon who were awarded in the presence of some 600 of the industry’s top executives from across the globe.
The World Communications Awards are the foremost global telecoms recognition of the companies and individuals responsible for the innovations, achievements and great new services that are helping to build tomorrow’s industry.
They are open to all communications providers worldwide, ranging from the traditional to those providing multi-media content, a release said.
The release said the focus of Digicel’s award entry for the win was its work in Haiti both before the January 12 earthquake – in bringing mobile services to those who never before could have dreamed of having them – and since, as it has strived to help the people of that country recover and rebuild in the wake of the devastation and ensure they stay connected to family and friends.
As the single largest private investor in Haiti, with an investment of US$370 M to date, Digicel is also the biggest mobile provider there, serving 2.4 million customers.
Digicel’s 2005 establishment in Haiti saw mobile prices lowered significantly and mobile penetration, going from a very low five per cent to more than 35 per cent today, thanks, largely, to the company, the release said.
It said, according to the French development agency, Proparco, Digicel Haiti has directly and indirectly contributed to a remarkable 20 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth between 2005 and 2007 (14 per cent directly, three per cent through suppliers and another three per cent through retailers).
According to the statement, since the January earthquake, Digicel has committed US$20M to the relief and recovery efforts in Haiti, a contribution which was recognised when the Mayor of Port-au-Prince named the company’s Chairman, Mr. Denis O’Brien, a goodwill ambassador to the city.
Commenting on the World Communications Award, Digicel Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Colm Delves said: “Our win in this category is testament to the important work we have done and continue to do, in Haiti and, indeed, across all of our 32 markets in the Caribbean, Central America and the Pacific.”
“To be recognised on the global stage, as being the best at what we do is no small achievement. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our customers for their ongoing support and all of our wonderful staff for their hard work and commitment to making Digicel bigger and better each day,” he added.