“By extending our long-standing partnership with Ericsson into Turks & Caicos, we will ensure the development of an industry-leading infrastructure that enables telecommunications innovations and delivers dependable network coverage for customers,” stated Colm Delves, CEO of Digicel Group.

“Spread over many small islands, Turks & Caicos offers a tremendous opportunity for us to connect families and friends through a wide-range of advanced GSM services," he added.

Digicel will provide Turks & Caicos mobile customers with per second billing, prepaid roaming, GPRS, Rollover Minutes and internet-based billing and recharge services.

“As the world’s leading GSM provider, Ericsson’s technological expertise will allow Digicel to provide Turks & Caicos customers with new and innovative service offerings,” noted Oliver Chatten, Country Manager of Digicel TCI.

“Throughout the Caribbean, Digicel and Ericsson have built GSM networks that enable important technology advances as well as reliable and superior coverage," he added.

Since Digicel’s flagship launch in 2001, Ericsson has been the company’s preferred vendor and strategic partner in delivering comprehensive network infrastructure to customers throughout the Caribbean in regions including St. Lucia, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Grenada, Aruba, Barbados, the Cayman Islands, Haiti and Trinidad & Tobago. .

“We are pleased to be working with Digicel to bring our advanced technology offerings to Turks & Caicos,” stated Martin Bjork, Digicel Key Account Manager for Ericsson.

“In every location we service, the infrastructure we develop and deploy plays a critical role. However, here - in such a rapidly developing country, our intelligent GSM network will have an even greater impact. The Ericsson network will enable Digicel to offer unprecedented products and services that will transform the mobile telecommunications landscape and set a new standard for cell phone customers in Turks & Caicos," he added.

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.