Digicel turns 20

Telecommunication giants Digicel yesterday kicked off a year of celebration as it marks its 20th anniversary in the Jamaican market.

The company had a thanksgiving service at the Fellowship Tabernacle in Kingston on Sunday, which was attended by Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Daryl Vaz, and the Opposition Spokesman on Science, Commerce and Technology, Hugh Graham.

Reverend Dr Al Miller, speaking during the service, urged Digicel to keep Jamaica connected. "Without it we can't build, without it we can't develop, because everything is tied to this issue of communication," Miller said.

Vaz, delivering greetings on behalf of Prime Minister Andrew Holness, noted Digicel's role in making the bold move to introducing advanced telecommunications services to Jamaica back in 2001. He singled out the work of then Minister of Science and Technology, Phillip Paulwell, who broke up the telecoms monopoly and paved the way for Digicel to invest.

Digicel Jamaica chairman, Harry Smith, commented "I am deeply touched remembering the origins of this great Jamaican company, primarily because of the undeniably positive impact we have had upon the life of every Jamaican. Our simple plan was to democratise access to modern communication technology and provide a better way for consumers and businesses to communicate."

Graham, who spoke on behalf of Leader of the Opposition, Mark Golding, said that Digicel has moved in lockstep with the pace of transformation demanded by its customers.

"In attracting and maintaining a broad customer base, the Digicel network has aided in the advancement of access to internet connectivity and telecommunications for countless Jamaicans," he said.