Digicel won the ‘Best Operator in a Developing Market’ award at the World Communications Awards 2010 held recently in London.
In a press release the company said it beat strong competition from Etisalat Misr, Ezecom, Gateway Communications, Orange and Viettel Cambodia to take the top prize. Over 600 of the industry’s top executives from across the globe attended the ceremony.
The World Communications Awards are the foremost global telecoms awards and “recognise the companies and individuals responsible for the innovations, achievements and great new services that are helping to build tomorrow’s industry.” They are open to all communications providers across the globe from traditional carriers and service providers to multimedia content providers.
The focus of Digicel’s award entry for the category was its work in Haiti both before the January 12 earthquake and after. The company was launched in Haiti in 2005, providing mobile service to persons who hadn’t been able to access them before. As the single largest private investor in Haiti – with an investment of over US$370 million to date, Digicel is also the largest mobile provider there serving over 2.4 million customers.
Since the earthquake it strove to help the nation recover and rebuild in the wake of the devastation and committed US$20 million to recovery efforts. This contribution was recognised when the Mayor of Port-au-Prince named Digicel Chairman Denis O’Brien a goodwill ambassador to the city.
In commenting on winning the award Digicel Group CEO Colm Delves said “Our win in this category is testament to the important work we have done, and continue to do in Haiti – and across all of our 32 markets across the Caribbean, Central American and the Pacific.” He also said that to be recognised on the global stage as being the best in its field is “no small achievement.” Delves extended gratitude to Digicel’s customers for their support, and to its staff for their hard work and commitment.
