Digicel will offer services through a partnership with Haitian company GB Group, CFO Colm Delves said. Digicel will commence services "as soon as possible". The network will use GSM technology. Currently, Haiti has two mobile operators using CDMA and TDMA serving approximately 400,000 subscribers.

Less than 2% of Haiti's population owns a mobile phone, compared to more than 40% in Puerto Rico and Jamaica, according to a 2003 report by Yankee Group.

Delves would not reveal how much Digicel paid for its 15-year operating license. He said the company will make a "significant investment" in Haiti and will create about 1,000 direct and non-direct jobs. Launched in 2001 by Denis O'Brien, Digicel currently operates in eight Caribbean countries, including Jamaica, Grenada, St. Lucia and St. Kitts.

Source: Associated Press