Digicel today announced that a major 4G network expansion in Antigua and Barbuda, on track to be completed this June, will see increased capacity resulting in faster speeds and better service for customers.
Digicel CEO, Victor Corcoran, said that the uptake and appetite for data in Antigua & Barbuda since the launch of 4G in November 2012 has been nothing short of amazing. “Month on month both our customer base and the percentage of this base who use 4G data has grown. So we are adding additional sites and expanding existing ones to deliver over 25% more capacity. Although the project will not be complete until the end of this month our engineers have already confirmed that Digicel has the biggest, best and fastest 4G network,” he ended. 

The additional investment for this expansion of the 4G network is US$750,000, bringing the total investment in Digicel’s 4G network to almost US$6 million since 2012. 

The first phase of the upgrade resulted in adding several new sites in May. The already completed additional sites have improved the experience for our customers in Gunthorpes, Lightfoot, Old Sugar factory, Sea View Farm, Freemans Village, Potters extension, Sir Vivian Richards Cricket stadium areas, Upper Gambles, Carnival Garden and Nugent Avenue. Since late May, customers in the Friar’s Hill Road, Lower Gambles and parts of Upper Gambles are also experiencing improved speeds because of the expanded network. 

Speaking in reference to the 4G network expansion project, Orville Mathurin, Technical Manager, said; “We’re doing extensive upgrades on our 4G network and already we are getting feedback that people have noticed the improved experience. We are now in Phase 2 and there are additional sites being added through to the end of June and will deliver additional speed and capacity for customers in the following areas - Jonas Road, Freemans Village, Golden Grove, the Point and their immediate communities.”

In celebration of the completion of the network expansion project, Digicel also launched a 4G mobile brand campaign called Step Up to 4G, along with offering double data plans to customers which gives them double as much data as they previously had.

Digicel marketing manager Troy Byrne explained the reason for offering double data to customers. “Digicel wants to give always ensure our customers get the best value so we’ve doubled all our prepaid data plans. Now that the expansion is almost complete, we’re comfortable and confident we can continue to stand over our commitment to best network and best value.”

He also mentioned that Digicel will continue to offer the best value price points in the market place on smartphones such as the Digicel DL700 for EC$399, Huawei Y320 EC$429, Blu Life EC$829 without a contract, “Categorically, we are happy to say that we have the best network, the best service, the best innovative products and the best value,” Byrne said.

Following the upgrades of the new sites at the end of June, the network will cover 95% of the population.

The Digicel team announcing the 4G expansion project included Victor Corcoran, CEO North OECS;Janice Sutherland, Commercial Manager; Orville Mathurin, Technical Manager; Troy Byrne, Sponsorship & Public Relations Manager; and Patrice Simon, Marketing Manager LTE.