Wednesday, December 14, 2011 – Hamilton, Bermuda.  Today’s proceedings were disappointing for Digicel and Transact in that the planned trial never took place as planned.  Numerous concerted applications were made by Cellone, Telebermuda and by the AG this morning which were all designed to prevent the proceedings from commencing or being concluded before the Chief Justice.  Whilst the Chief Justice summarily dismissed the previous applications made by these Parties, he decided this afternoon that the matter ought to be remitted to the Telecoms Commission at the first instance.

It is important to note that there was no determination of the legality of Digicel’s and Transact’s long distance service and that no party was found to be right or wrong.  Instead, the Chief Justice has stated he will not make a ruling until the matter has been heard first by the Telecommunications Commission. 

Obviously, Digicel would have preferred that the case was fully heard in order to provide closure on the matter which will likely now be dragged out further by our competitors who have a clear will to delay any outcome in the near future.

This delay is not in the interest of the public who clearly appreciate the competition Digicel has created and the desire the value we have bought to the long distance market. 

ENDS

About Digicel

After ten years of operation, Digicel Group Limited has over 11 million customers across its 31 markets in the Caribbean, Central America and the Pacific. The company is renowned for delivering best value, best service and best network.

Digicel is the lead sponsor of Caribbean, Central American and Pacific sports teams, including the Special Olympics teams throughout these regions. Digicel sponsors the West Indies cricket team and is also the title sponsor of the Digicel Caribbean Cup. In the Pacific, Digicel is the proud sponsor of several national rugby teams and also sponsors the Vanuatu cricket team.

Digicel also runs a host of community-based initiatives across its markets and has set up Digicel Foundations in Jamaica, Haiti and Papua New Guinea which focus on educational, cultural and social development programmes.

In 2004, Digicel developed Digicel Rising Stars – an annual talent show to support aspiring young music artists in the Caribbean. The show has spanned the Eastern Caribbean, Haiti, Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago ranking as one of the top-rated shows.

Digicel is incorporated in Bermuda and its markets comprise: Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, Bermuda, Bonaire, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Curacao, Dominica, El Salvador, Fiji, French Guiana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, Nauru, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, St Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos and Vanuatu. Digicel also has coverage in St. Martin and St. Barts in the Caribbean.

Visit www.digicelgroup.com for more information.