Digicel Approved for Dominica Network Purchase

Digicel Group has confirmed that the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica has approved in principal the company's planned acquisition of Cingular Wireless' Dominica operation. Full approval will be subject to any conditions following the special meeting of the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL) Council of Ministers. This development represents an important milestone as Digicel moves forward with its agreement to acquire Cingular Wireless' Caribbean and Bermuda operations as part of its mission to create a seamless pan Caribbean network.

The purchase, which is subject to regulatory approval on each individual island, will expand Digicel's network to Bermuda, St. Kitts & Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica, in addition to its existing nine markets of operation which include the most recent addition of Trinidad & Tobago. The acquisition also strengthens Digicel's market share in the Cayman Islands, Grenada, St. Lucia, Barbados and St. Vincent & the Grenadines, where Cingular's customer base will transition to Digicel and licenses to provide service in St. Martin, St. Barths, Guadeloupe and Martinique.

With investments in the Caribbean exceeding US$600 million, Digicel recently reached a milestone of 1,051 employees in its fourth year of operation. The Company anticipates a 30% increase in staff by the end of 2006, due to subscriber growth and market expansion.

Digicel plans to enter into a roaming agreement with Cingular that will provide former Cingular and Digicel customers with favourable roaming rates in additional markets. Digicel's planned expansion to five new territories - Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bermuda, Dominica and St. Kitts and Nevis - will also result in more savings on calls within the Digicel network."

Posted to the site on 19th August 2005