Digicel receives top World Communication Awards

Digicel Group CEO Colm Delves

Wednesday 4th December 2013 – Kingston, Jamaica: Digicel Group was honoured with two awards at the World Communication Awards held last night at the Lancaster Hotel in London, England. It won the “Best Operator in a Developing Market” category for Digicel Papua New Guinea and “The Social Contribution Award” for Digicel Haiti’s Education Improvement Initiative.

 

In 2007, Digicel launched mobile telecommunications services in Papua New Guinea and in doing so forever changed the telecommunications landscape there. Prior to Digicel’s launch, Papua New Guinea had the lowest mobile penetration rate in the Pacific, with less than 2% penetration. However since then, PNG’s mobile telephone market has grown significantly with telecommunications services available to customers from all socio-economic backgrounds. In the category of “Best Operator in a Developing Market”, the prestigious awards ceremony saw Digicel Group beat off stiff competition from the likes of Hutchison Global Communications, Orange Business Services and Asiacell.

Since it was established in March 2007, the Digicel Foundation has worked tirelessly to improve the quality of education in Haiti. With the latest openings : Ecole Nationale de Goyavier, Ecole Nationale de Moussignac, Ecole Nationale de Bas Pinal, Ecole Nationale de Ranquitte and Ecole Marie Reine Immaculée, more than 36,000 children now attend a school built by the Digicel Foundation.

 

Digicel was also named the winner in the “The Social Contribution Award” category for its education programme in Haiti which sees it on track to build 150 schools by 2014 and deliver training to over 600 teachers who each receive more than 450 hours of training, mentorship and professional development. Digicel beat competitors such as Telstra, Turkcell and Smart Communications in this category.

 

Speaking on the wins, Digicel Group CEO, Colm Delves, said; “It is a great honour for Digicel to be recognised for our work in two of our major markets. We are very proud of our staff in these countries who are making a positive difference in the lives of our customers, the people we serve – not only in providing much-needed telecommunications services – but also through the tireless community work in which we engage.

 

“I would like to thank Total Telecom and the World Communication Awards committee, and each and every one of our staff worldwide whose hard work in providing world-class service whilst embracing our commitment to giving back to our communities is a continuing source of great pride,” continued Delves.

 

Organised by Total Telecom, the World Communication Awards is among the most respected awards schemes for the global telecoms industry. These awards recognise the companies and individuals responsible for the innovations, achievements and great new services that are helping to build tomorrow’s industry. The World Communication Awards maintain their fiercely protected independence and focus on the big issues, while encouraging more entries from communications providers across the globe, both large and small, to ensure the awards can truly claim ‘world’ status.

 

List of finalists:

Best Operator In A Developing Market:

Asiacell (Iraq)

Digicel (Papua New Guinea) WINNER

Hutchison Global Communications (Greater Mekong Subregion)

Orange Business Services (Middle East and Africa)

Smart Communications (Philippines)

 

The Social Contribution Award:

Bangalink (Driving Awareness of M-Agri)

Digicel (Haiti Education Improvement Initiative) WINNER

Smart Communications (Project Zero)

Telstra (Supported Workforce Program)

Tunisiana (Najjahni)

Turkcell (Women Empowerment in Economy)