Nauru Declares a Public Holiday As First Mobile Phones Arrive

­The Digicel Group has announced its launch in the Republic of Nauru. In celebration of the launch, the country's President, Marcus Stephen has declared September 1st, 2009 a 'national holiday' in Nauru.

The President of Nauru, Hon. Marcus Stephen, M.P., made the first call on the new Digicel network at a press conference this afternoon. The President said, "We are thrilled to welcome Digicel to Nauru, offering Nauruans access to GSM mobile telecommunications for the first time.

"Digicel's launch is very significant for the people of Nauru. It is a truly exciting time and we look forward to the prospect of having mobile telecommunications and mobile internet accessibility in Nauru," continued the President.

The company was granted an operator license just two months ago.

The Republic of Nauru is located in the Pacific just north of the Solomon Islands and 40 kilometres south of the Equator. The island is 21 kilometres square and with a population of 10,000 people, who speak Nauruan and English. It is the world's smallest independent nation and has never had mobile phone services before.

Posted to the site on 31st August 2009