With an initial investment of US$2 million in the island of Bonaire, Digicel has announced new high value offerings, such as pre-paid roaming, 'Call Me' text messaging, multi-media messaging, free activation and cutting-edge handsets for as low as $49 NaFl (US$28.00).

The Caribbean company is focused on becoming Bonaire’s number one mobile provider of choice, and recently opened three retail stores and 110 top-up locations on the island.

“We are pleased to bring to the Netherlands Antilles ABC islands superior choice, reliable nationwide coverage, high value mobile services and the best in technology innovation,” commented Hans Lute, CEO of Digicel Netherlands Antilles.

“We are very committed to growing our business operations, bringing mobile competition to this region and delivering on our goal of becoming the number one mobile provider of choice," he added.

In April 2006, Digicel entered the Bonaire market through its acquisition of majority shareholding in Antilliano Por NV. The company has operated in the Netherlands Antilles since its 2002 launch in Aruba. In March 2005, Digicel acquired Curaçao Telecom, which was recently re-branded as Digicel.

Mr Kenneth Gijsbertha, Minister of Transport and Communications for the Netherlands Antilles, commended Digicel for building a pan-Netherlands Antilles network that bridges the technology divide from one country to the next.

“We welcome Digicel to Bonaire, finally the ABC islands are now united," he stated.

“The entry of Digicel into the Bonaire market represents the fall of monopoly and the rise of real competition. Competition promises to bring better service, more innovation and most importantly of all, lower rates for the mobile customer in Bonaire” added Minister Gijsbertha.

Digicel’s Bonaire operations are led by Bert Schreuders, former Digicel Head of Customer Relations Netherlands Antilles.

The company has also announced that it will launch new mobile services, such as per-second billing, international roaming and free activation for customers in Turks & Caicos.

Digicel was awarded a license to establish a GSM cellular network in the Turks & Caicos, following the landmark conclusion by the government in January this year of the 106-year telecommunications monopoly held by Cable & Wireless.

Earlier in the month, Digicel announced that it had opened 113 top-up locations and nine retail stores throughout the country.

"Digicel is proud to be heralding this new era of mobile telecommunications in Turks & Caicos and we are committed to working with the Turks & Caicos government to ensure everyone enjoys the benefits of increased mobile competition in the marketplace," observed Denis O'Brien, Digicel founder and chairman.

Jeffrey Hall, Minister of Communication Works & Utilities for Turks & Caicos, added that: "Digicel has an impressive track record in placing the Caribbean region at the cutting edge of ICT development as well as being a community-minded telecom provider."

Since receiving a license in Turks & Caicos in March 2006, Digicel has established a state-of-the-art GSM network with technology partner Ericsson.

Digicel's investment in the Caribbean currently stands at more than US$1 billion and the company has doubled its employee figures to 2,000 in the last year.