“P.J. MARA, BOARD MEMBER, DIGICEL GROUP, ATTENDS OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF 2 CENTERS; 5 MORE DUE FOR LAUNCH IN OCTOBER & A FINAL CENTRE UNDER CONSTRUCTION” 

Friday, October 21^st 2011 – St. John’s, Antigua: As part of an ongoing joint initiative led by Digicel and the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, Ottos Comprehensive and Seventh Day Adventist Schools are now boasting their own Community Computer Access Centers launched at an official ceremony at the Seventh Day Adventist School complex this morning.

In attendance at the event were P.J Mara, Member, Board of Directors, Digicel Group, Lisa Lewis, Group Projects Director, Digicel Group, John Delves, General Manager, Digicel NOECS, Johnny Ingle, Commercial Director, Digicel NOECS, Janice Sutherland, Commercial Manager, Digicel Antigua & Barbuda, Troy Byrne, Marketing Manager, Digicel Antigua & Barbuda, Clement Samuels, Telecommunications Officer, Honorable Dr. Edmund A. Mansoor, Minister of State & Telecommunications, Government officials, members of the faculty, students, and media representatives.

John Delves, in his opening remarks, said, “It gives me great pleasure to see two more Community Computer Access Centers launched here today. We’re on our way to ensuring that no child gets left behind with this initiative. The importance of bringing people online is widely recognized and where access to the internet is low, it is particularly important for those providers with the means & the vision, to invest in public access.”

The project – entitled, “Technology for Communication, Education and Empowerment” – is a joint initiative between Digicel and the Government of Antigua and Barbuda to bring broadband internet to more than 5,000 students who attend Government Secondary schools. To date, seven of the twelve centers planned for have launched including Glanvilles Secondary School, St. Mary’s Secondary School, Clare Hall Secondary School, Jennings Secondary School and All Saints Secondary School with Ottos Comprehensive and Seventh Day Adventist schools added to the list today.

John Delves continued; “Digicel is always looking for ways to move our communities forward in a positive way and our school & community access centre initiative is a perfect opportunity to do just that. We must give back to people and the potential is here; why shouldn’t the next Bill Gates or Steve Jobs be from Antigua & Barbuda? Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t succeed – it’s about having the right attitude and access to the right tools – unleash your talent!”

Minister of Information and Technology, Dr. Edmund Mansoor, said; “This project is a complete winner. Digicel was the first telecommunications provider to assist the education programme in a real way; Through this relationship we are providing the opportunity for access to the internet, to all, as part of the global village”

Following a musical rendition by Carletta Patrick and the students of the Seventh Day Adventist School, P. J. Mara was invited by Minister Mansoor & John Delves to cut the ribbon to signal the official opening.

“This is indeed a proud day for Digicel and I am Delighted to be here to witness the very fine work of Mrs. Cheryl Morris, Principal, Minister Mansoor on behalf of the Government & the Digicel team in furthering the opportunities of all by providing access to such a valuable and much needed community resource,” he said.

The results of a recent study undertaken by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), state more effort is needed to increase internet access in homes and schools throughout the world. This latest move by Digicel, ACT Technologies & the Government will prove momentous for Antigua and Barbuda.

In her keynote address, Principal Morris said “We would like to thank Digicel, the Ministry and the Government and on behalf of us all, we hope the students and teachers of Ottos Comprehensive and Seventh Day Adventist enjoy the very best the internet has to offer as a tool for education and learning, in good service to God & in good service to man.”

A further five centers have official launch dates scheduled for October & a final centre at Cedar Grove is under construction now.

ENDS

ABOUT DIGICEL GROUP

After ten years of operation, Digicel Group Limited has 11.5 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 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, 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.