By Editor on July 7, 2011 · Leave a Comment
Presently, Guyana Telephone & Telegraph (GT&T) is the telecommunications service provider in Guyana. It has taken to Comverse to propel the operator’s business transformation process. A range of Comverse’s products have been chosen that comprise converged BSS, Billing & Active Customer Management Solution with Mobile Internet, and HUB Voice & Messaging Value-Added Services (VAS).
GT&T’s selection of Comverse ONE suggests that the former looks to make use of a single product catalog and rating engine. This selection of product stands to benefit Guyana Telephone & Telegraph in bringing all of its subscribers (prepaid and postpaid) under one roof across mobile, wireline and internet that constitute all lines of business. It is being seen to make it viable for the operator in offering innovative bundles, cross services, real-time personalized promotions, rewards etc., in addition to considerable reduction in operating costs.
According to Lionel Chmilewsky, Senior Vice President, Head of Customer Facing Group at Comverse, they offer advanced technologies that are capable of delivering absolute business transformation. Comverse is known to be a major player in BSS, mobile internet and VAS and provide closely related solutions that are ideal for communication service providers (CSPs). They also look to provide GT&T with an edge for success in a cutthroat market, in addition to pushing it toward convergence and IPfication.
Comverse’s involvement with GT&T’s business transformation efforts puts the former in good stead. It already boasts of omnipresence both in Latin America and the Caribbean.
By Editor on January 18, 2011 · Leave a Comment
FTTx network access solutions provider, Zhone Technologies has announced that Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) has chosen its MXK multi-service access node (MSAN) system to enable bandwidth increases of its all-IP network and provide high speed asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL2+) services.
GT&T’s deployment of the MXK will lay the foundation for the introduction of converged and triple-play services and allow the flexibility of introducing FTTx infrastructure as the network expands.
GT&T serves approximately 150,000 landline customers, and the MXK will provide high speed IP-based services over copper, fibre and wireless technologies to consumers and businesses throughout Guyana. The value of the deal was not disclosed.
By Editor on January 11, 2011 · Leave a Comment
Aptilo Networks has accelerated the deployment of a WiMAX network in South America’s Guyana on behalf of the internet service provider, E-Networks.
WiMAX is now available in the capital city Georgetown and surrounding areas. The launch is part of a broader strategy by the company, working with Huawei to roll out the services countrywide.
According to Aptilo, the service was deployed in record time thanks to its WiMAX CSN System, a pre-integrated wireless broadband solution with Mobile WiMAX AAA Server, prepaid system, hotlining portal, policy management and service control. With Aptilo’s solution, E-Networks’ customers can buy a prepaid voucher to sign-up for packages over the WiMAX network and use the remaining balance to top-up or upgrade packages to suit their personal needs.
According to Vishok Persaud, Founder and Managing Director, E-Networks Inc, Aptilo’s pre-integrated approach allowed them to launch the service in just seven days which reduced costs and positions them well to deploy throughout the rest of the country quickly. It also gives them the flexibility to create tailor-made service plans utilized by Aptilo’s built-in WEB portals, prepaid system and payment modules to make Internet accessible and affordable to all Guyanese customers.
Filed under Mobile ·
Tagged with Aptilo Networks, E-Networks, Founder and Managing Director, Georgetown, Guyana, Huawei, Internet Service Provider, Mobile, USA, Vishok Persaud, WiMAX, WiMAX CSN System
By Editor on December 15, 2010 · Leave a Comment
Having already achieved first-to-market status with the November 22nd launch of their innovative mobile money service, TchoTcho Mobile, Scotiabank and Digicel today achieved another important milestone.
The news comes today that Scotiabank and Digicel will be the first mobile money providers to reach the goal of 10,000 transactions as set by the Haiti Mobile Money Initiative placing them in pole position to win the cash prize associated with the launch of the product. As such, Digicel will today file its application for the grant before going through the 30 day audit process.
The Haiti Mobile Money Initiative is a partnership between USAID and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and is implemented by HIFIVE, a USAID project.
Since TchoTcho Mobile’s launch in November — just days after obtaining final regulatory approval from telecoms regulator, CONATEL, and the Central Bank of Haiti — thousands of customers have used this innovative service for transactions such as cash deposits, withdrawals and transfers to other TchoTcho Mobile subscribers and the customer feedback has been great.
Digicel Haiti CEO, Maarten Boute, comments; “TchoTcho Mobile is changing the way Haitians live and make transactions. There is massive interest in — and enthusiasm for — our product right across Haiti. We’re proud to be the first provider to achieve the goal of 10,000 transactions as set by the Haiti Mobile Money Initiative.
He continues; “Feedback from TchoTcho Mobile users is that they are very satisfied with the quality of the service and delighted with how fast, secure and user-friendly it is. As Digicel has over 2.4 million subscribers, the widest coverage with over 95% population coverage and the largest retail network in Haiti, TchoTcho Mobile will soon become an essential service to the Haitian people. We are also delighted to have partnered with Scotiabank, which, as one of the foremost banks in the world, has an impeccable track record.”
“When the TchoTcho Mobile agent approached me and explained how the product worked, I have to admit that I was a bit reticent at first. But after I read the information describing the product and its advantages, I felt more at ease and decided to register. I have since made a few transactions very securely. This product is just great. TchoTcho Mobile makes life so much easier for me,” announced Jeffrey Nicholson Carre, a very satisfied TchoTcho Mobile subscriber.
Initiatives such as payroll for manufacturing jobs and “cash-for-work” programmes — as well as community meetings in Port-au-Prince and the provinces — have made it possible for Scotiabank, the largest commercial bank in the Caribbean with over 2 million customers and Digicel, the biggest telecommunications network in Haiti, to reach the Haiti Mobile Money Initiative goal in just three weeks. This was supported by an extensive communications campaign aimed at informing Haitian consumers on the multiple advantages of the product — as well as its ease of use.
“We are very proud to offer a service that contributes to financial inclusion in Haiti and are very pleased at the results so far,” said Maxime Charles, Country Head, Scotiabank Haiti. “We look forward to the ongoing contribution of TchoTcho Mobile to the economic development of the country by providing a safe and secure banking service to people who are not part of the traditional banking system. We are very satisfied with the results.”
TchoTcho Mobile allows users to conduct banking transactions via their Digicel mobile phones and is currently available across 150 TchoTcho Mobile agents nationwide. For more information, please contact our customer care available 24/7 by dialing 202.
About Digicel
After nine and a half years of operation, Digicel Group Limited has 11 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.
About Scotiabank
Scotiabank has been part of the Caribbean and Central America since 1889. It is now the leading bank in the region, with operations in 20 countries, including Haiti, Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. The Bank has more than 7,000 employees in the region, including affiliates, serving more than two million customers, with 232 branches, kiosks and other offices, plus 615 automated banking machines. Through the Bright Future program, Scotiabank focuses our charitable efforts on causes and activities that can enhance the well-being of children, particularly in the areas of education, health, wellness and the environment. For more information on our program, please visit www.scotiabank.com/brightfuture/index.html
Scotiabank is one of North America’s premier financial institutions and Canada’s most international bank. With close to 70,000 employees, Scotiabank Group and its affiliates serve approximately 14.6 million customers in some 50 countries around the world. Scotiabank offers a diverse range of products and services including personal, commercial, corporate and investment banking. With more than $523 billion in assets (as at July 31, 2010), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto (BNS) and New York Exchanges (BNS). For more information please visit www.scotiabank.com.
Filed under Mobile ·
Tagged with Anguilla, Aruba, Barbados, Bermuda, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Caribbean, Central America, Central Bank of Haiti, Conatel, Curacao, Digicel, Dominica, El Salvador, Fiji, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, HIFIVE, Honduras, Jamaica, Mobile, mobile money Initiative, Pacific, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Scotiabank, Suriname, TchoTcho Mobile, Telecoms Regulator, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, USA, USAID, Vanuatu
By Editor on November 23, 2010 · Leave a Comment
Digicel Group has appointed Philip Van Dalsen as the new Regional CEO with responsibility for the Dutch Caribbean, Suriname and Guyana.
Prior to joining Digicel, Philip held positions in Sonera Telecom, Tiscali and the pan-African mobile operator, Celtel. Philip will be based in Curacao from the start of the year.
Replacing Philip as CEO of Digicel Suriname is Hans Lute. As CEO of the Dutch Caribbean, Hans has been with Digicel since March 2005 based in Curacao. Both role changes will be effective from January 2011.
According to Philip Van Dalsen, his four and a half years as CEO of Digicel Suriname have been rewarding and challenging and he is proud to be a part of a business that has gone from strength to strength. He is excited about this new regional opportunity from a professional point of view and for the opportunity it affords him to experience and embrace new countries and new cultures.
Filed under Mobile ·
Tagged with Caribbean, Celtel, Curacao, Digicel group, Dutch Caribbean, Guyana, Hans Lute, Mobile, New Regional CEO, pan-African, Philip Van Dalsen, Suriname
By Editor on March 9, 2010 · Leave a Comment
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: 7% increase in turnover has been reported by Atlantic Tele-Network (ATN) for the full year ended December 31, 2009 to USD59.5 million. Excluding acquisition related charges, the net income of the company went up 11% to USD8 million while wireless revenue increased 20% to USD35.9 million.
35% increase in the US rural wireless business revenue has also been recorded which went up to USD25.4 million from USD18.8 million. The revenue benefited from the ongoing investment in new base stations and the growth in recurring voice and data traffic. 580 base stations, up from 473 base stations at the end of 2008 had been reported by the company.
Commnet Wireless, ATN’s principal subsidiary provides voice and data wireless roaming services for US and international carriers in rural areas throughout the United States. Guyana Telephone & Telegraph Company is another important subsidiary providing national telephone service to all local, long-distance and international services in Guyana and the third one is Bermudan cellco Bermuda Digital Communications (Cellular One).
By Editor on December 11, 2009 · Leave a Comment
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: France Telecom got a green signal from Egypt’s regulator to acquire the assets of Egypt’s largest mobile carrier Mobinil. The decision puts an end to the dispute between France Telecom and Orascom
Telecom, other major shareholder in Mobinil.
Three offers ranging from EGP187/share, EGP237/share, and EGP230/share were made by France Telecom to buy Mobinil shares. The final offer that was accepted was 245 Egyptian pounds per share (€30.15).
Orascom Telecom is now left with two options, either to respond to the decision by selling all its shares of Mobinil and the holding company to France Telecom or objecting to the offer and challenging it through court or another arbitration round.
Meanwhile, the French Competition Authority fined France Telecom with €63 million, along with its Caribbean subsidiary, Orange Caraibe, following a complaint from Bouygues Telecom’s Caribbean subsidiary. In the complain, the telco is accused of thwarting competition in the mobile and landline markets in the French overseas territories of Guadeloupe, Martinique and Guyana.
In other complaints it is also accused of offering fixed to mobile tariffs to corporate clients at rates that were below reasonable costs.
Filed under Mobile ·
Tagged with Africa, Bouygues Telecom, Caribbean, Egypt, Europe, France, France Telecom, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Mobile Tariffs, Mobinil, Orange Caraibe, Orascom Telecom
By Editor on July 29, 2009 · Leave a Comment
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: France Telecom has been fined of EUR27.6 million (USD39.3 million) after the country’s competition authority judged that the telco had abused its dominant position in French overseas territories. According to a statement of the authority, between 2001-06, France Telecom made it difficult for new operators in the fixed line and broadband markets in Martinique, Guadeloupe, Guyana and Reunion.
By Editor on July 17, 2009 · Leave a Comment
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Digicel, the Caribbean mobile operator, has launched two new promotion for better top up services. The first promotion Double the Love will be offered on Saturday, July 18th, for one day only in retail stores selling Digicel top up across the USA. Customers in the USA who top up their friends and family in Honduras, El Salvador, Jamaica, Haiti and Guyana, will receive 100% extra top up for free from Digicel.
The second promotion will start on Monday, July 20th – and running until Friday, July 31st, Summer Love allows customers in the USA to top up friends and family via the internet with Digicel’s Online Top Up service in 18 countries across the Caribbean and Central America, and get 25% extra credit for free.
By Editor on December 3, 2008 · Leave a Comment
Digicel, the largest telecommunications operator in the Caribbean and recent entrant to the Central American market, today launched operations in Panama — its third Central American market and 31st market world-wide — with an investment of US$350 million. Digicel now offers seamless mobile telecommunication services across Central America, with operations to date in El Salvador, Honduras and Panama.
According to the Panama Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Panamanian economy is expected to grow 7.5 percent by 2009. With a population of 3.4 million, mobile penetration is currently at approximately 71 percent. Having built the most modern nationwide GSM network in the country, Digicel is well positioned to maximize growth by offering service for the first time to many communities in Panama not previously served by incumbent operators.
The Digicel Panama network is underpinned by world-class 24/7 customer service, a nationwide network of more than 300 retail distributors and in excess of 15,000 recharge outlets nationwide. The company employs 300 people directly in its Panamanian operations as well as creating the indirect employment of 1,000 people.
“Panama promises to be a very exciting market for us and we are proud to offer the best coverage, best service and best value to the people of Panama,” said Digicel Chairman, Denis O’Brien. “Digicel is confident that it can stimulate growth in the mobile market in Panama by increasing mobile penetration within five years to 90 percent ensuring that more and more Panamanians have access to an affordable high-quality mobile network.”
Digicel won a competitive bid process for a license to operate a GSM mobile network in Panama in May 2008. With 20 years experience in telecommunications, Digicel Panama is led by Raul Burgos, whose past accomplishments include senior management positions in SunCom Wireless, Nextel, Telecorp and AT&T Wireless.
With operations in 31 markets world-wide and more than 6.4 million customers, Digicel’s investment in the Caribbean, Central America and South Pacific now exceeds US$3.4 billion. As the largest mobile operator in the Caribbean, Digicel is renowned for reshaping the competitive landscape through revolutionary offers and promotions. In El Salvador, Digicel trebled its customer base in its first year of operation to move from the fourth to the second mobile operator in the market.
Digicel Central America Holdings Limited is owned by Denis O’Brien, as is Digicel Group Limited and Digicel South Pacific Limited.
About Digicel Group
Since its launch in 2001, Digicel has become the largest wireless telecommunications operator in the Caribbean with more than six million customers. After seven years, Digicel is renowned for competitive rates, unbeatable coverage, superior customer care, a wide variety of products and services and state-of-the-art handsets. By offering innovative wireless services and community support, Digicel has become a leading brand in the Caribbean and has placed the region at the cutting-edge of wireless communications — the company is also a new entrant to the Central American market.
Digicel is incorporated in Bermuda and now has operations in 31 markets world-wide. Its Caribbean and Central American markets comprise Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, Bermuda, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Curacao, the Cayman Islands, Dominica, El Salvador, French Guiana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Martinique, Panama, St Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago and Turks & Caicos. The Caribbean company also has coverage in St. Martin and St. Barths. Digicel Pacific comprises Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu.
Visit www.digicelgroup.com for more information.
About Wireless Federation
Wireless Federation is an industry research conglomerate headquartered in London, United Kingdom. The mandate of the Wireless Federation is to provide its members and customers industry knowledge that can further enhance their understanding of the wireless industry. Wireless Federation conducts bespoke research and produces boxed reports in collabaration with Industry Bodies, Telecom Operators for Issues that revolve around ARPU, CHURN and Loyalty.
They have been associated with more than 225 mobile operators globally to set their Pricing/ Tariff Strategies, Go-To-Market Strategies for Mobile Advertising, Mobile Payments, Cutting VAS among others amongst 59 countries globally.
For more information please visit www.wirelessfederation.com
Wireless Mobile Telecom Wireless News
Filed under Mobile ·
Tagged with Anguilla, Aruba, Barbados, Bermuda, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Caribbean, Curacao, Dominica, El Salvador, Fiji, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Suriname, Tonga, United Kingdom, Vanuatu