Tuesday, December 6, 2011 – Hamilton, Bermuda.  Digicel wishes to respond to and clarify a grossly unbalanced article that appeared in the December 6^th issue of the Royal Gazette in which the Government was stated to have declared that the long distance services being provided by Transact were unlawful. 

The article was purportedly based on material filed on behalf of the Government in respect of a hearing pending before the Supreme Court of Bermuda on Wednesday next, 14^th December.   Quite apart from the fact that the material disclosed was selectively and mischievously presented in order to present a wholly imbalanced picture, Digicel condemns in the strongest possible terms this scurrilous anonymous leaking of Court filings in such an underhanded way.  The legality or otherwise of the long distance services which are the subject of the Court proceedings will be decided upon by the Chief Justice of Bermuda next week having heard evidence and submissions from the Parties to those proceedings.    This is now a matter for the Courts and Digicel would call upon all concerned to respect this basic principle and the rule of law.

Digicel regards these improper disclosures and the deliberately skewed perception which the disclosing party sought to portray as being in complete contempt of the legal process in Bermuda and a profound breach of accepted legal rules and procedures.   The disrespect shown to the legal authorities in Bermuda is to be condemned in the strongest possible terms.  For its own part, Digicel shall take all steps as are appropriate to address what was a deliberate and wrongful attempt to grievously damage Digicel’s corporate reputation and interests in Bermuda.   Digicel will be pursuing this matter at the appropriate time.

Digicel and Transact are confident that the stance that they have adopted in these proceedings in relation to the Long Distance offerings will ultimately be vindicated by the legal process.  It is not proper or appropriate at this juncture to comment publicly on the selectively presented extracts from materials which have been filed with the Supreme Court relating to these legal proceedings which appeared in the Gazette.  Digicel shall provide a fulsome response to all matters at issue at the appropriate time and in the appropriate forum.

Digicel understands that many of our customers are confused by press statements and public relations activity such as these scandalous faceless disclosures in the Gazette.  The fact of the matter is that Digicel and Transact have become the target of a concerted campaign of malicious falsehoods and underhanded tactics since they sought to inject real competition into the market in International Long Distance Services.  The purpose of this concerted media campaign has been to deflect attention for what is the real issue here- true vibrant competition.  That is what this is all about. 

In a letter dated 21 November 2011, Lawyers for Northrock wrote to the Honourable Minister Marc Bean MP complaining about Transact’s new offerings in the market.  The following quote from that letters really captures what this whole controversy is all about:

“…enclosed is a copy of an advertisement placed by Transact in today’s Royal Gazette showing its internet rates.  Also enclosed is a copy of North Rock’s internet rates copied from its website.  In order to stay competitive, North Rock will be forced to consider lowering its prices”

If Digicel and Transact are accused of lowering prices in Bermuda, then we are guilty as charged. Digicel has increased competition and brought down prices.  It has done what is in Digicel’s DNA.  In so doing, Digicel has incurred the wrath of well-resourced and entrenched vested interests in Bermuda.  Digicel is committed, come what may, to continue to fight for increased competition, better services and better value for all of Bermuda.  Digicel has built its reputation as a champion of the consumer and our commitment to ensuring Bermuda enjoys the full benefits of open and transparent competition will remain undiminished.

Digicel does wish to make clear that the Internet Service products being provided by Transact are in no way affected by the legal proceedings which are on-going before the Courts in Bermuda.  The Court proceedings relate solely to the provision of International Long Distance services.  The ISP offerings are not affected in any way.

Finally, Digicel wishes to express its very considerable gratitude to all of our loyal customers and supporters who have expressed such strong support to Digicel and Transact over the past days and weeks.  The bigger, better network will fight on.

ENDS

About Digicel

After nine years of operation, Digicel Group Limited has 11 million customers across its 32 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. 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, Honduras, 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.