CEO LETTER FOR MEDIA - IN RESPONSE TO LIME 4G ANNOUNCEMENT
May 20th 2011 - Digicel dispels LIME's claims
Dear Editor,
With regard to LIME’s announcement that it will be the
first to launch “4G” across the Caribbean – I would like to take this
opportunity to clear up a few important points.
The motivation for this is to inform consumers and businesses of the facts – and help them cut through some of the grossly misleading marketing messages LIME has put out.
LIME said it is “first” to launch 4G in the region – not
the case. Much like it said it was the first to launch Mobile TV – again not
the case since Digicel launched it four years ago in Jamaica.
The truth is LIME will use what
is referred to as HSPA+ technology for the services it is calling 4G but it is
not the first to deploy this technology.
Digicel launched HSPA+ technology in Bermuda and the
French West Indies last year (under the banner 3G+). The reason we called it
3G+ is that, at the time, HSPA+ was not considered a 4G technology. However
HSPA+ has since been re-classified by the ITU (International Telecommunication
Union) to be counted as 4G.
HSPA+ technology delivers speeds up to five times faster
than traditional 3G technologies currently used by LIME in Jamaica.
So, it is true to say that Digicel already delivers 4G
technology - using HSPA+ technology and WiMAX both classified as 4G
technologies by the ITU - in the Caribbean (and specifically in the Cayman
Islands and Jamaica) and indeed was the “first” to do so.
Digicel is also gearing up to launch HSPA+ technology
across the Dutch Caribbean in a matter of weeks, intends to roll out HSPA+ in
Jamaica (once the Claro acquisition is approved) and will steadily bring this
to other markets in the near future.
LIME’s announcement actually raises more questions than
it answers as to its commitment to the customers of the Caribbean. Here is a
company that is making a big deal out of upgrading its out of date 2G networks
to EDGE. Meanwhile, Digicel has been delivering EDGE services across all of its
32 markets across the Caribbean, Central America and the Pacific since 2008.
Digicel prides itself on delivering the best value, best
service and best network to customers across the globe. That is why we continue
to be the first to deliver the best and most innovative technologies to
customers having already invested over US$85 million in rolling out HSPA+ and
WiMAX services across the region and why we continue to ensure that we are on
the side of the customer at all times and in everything we do.
There is a difference between talking the talk and
walking the walk.
John Delves,
General Manager – Digicel OECS North
