Digicel to invest up to US$40M more as 4G service rolls out

Last Updated on Saturday, 7 May 2016, 20:16 by Denis Chabrol

With the allocation of additional spectrum by the Ministry of Public Telecommunications, Guyana’s telephone service providers have finally launched their 4G networks across Guyana.

Improved telecommunication services are a long awaited advent for Guyana given the increasing demands of today’s technological environment.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Digicel Guyana Kevin Kelly officially launched the service in Bartica on Saturday where he revealed that Digicel has big plans in store for its consumers.

“This is the first step we are keen on liberalization…This is just one aspect…with this 4G we are hoping that liberalization passing through the parliament at the end of May that in itself will bring in a lot of new services,” said Kelly.

He said that while the improved services will be good for Digicel, it will ultimately yield fantastic results Guyana in several spheres including business and tourism.

Up until last week Guyana was the only country in the Caribbean to not have 3G/4G services having been stuck on Edge for a number of years.

“We were waiting for the spectrum to be allocated and this government has done that…If liberalization happens we’d have to convert every single tower  to 4G – that would probably cost over US$30M-US$40M,” said the CEO.

Over the weekend, the company will be launching 4G services at 100 sites across the country with the remaining sites to be launched in the coming weeks.

Customers who would like to utilize the service would have to activate the 4G plans which are different from the plans currently being offered by the Company.

“You will have a choice – you can choose to go on the 4G or you can also choose to stay on the present plans…it depends on your usage and what you use. Basically we are trying to do a package for everybody,” said Kelly.

The service is being made available to Postpaid and Prepaid consumers.