Digicel to get its licence today

July 11, 2008 11:31:40 AM

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After months of negotiations, Fiji’s newest mobile operator, Digicel (Fiji) will be receiving its operating licence today.

Minister of Industry, Tourism, Trade and Communications Tom Ricketts would be handing over the licence to two Digicel representatives at the Fiji Islands Visitors Bureau’s office at the Colonial Plaza in Namaka, Nadi today at 2.30pm.

The Communications Ministry confirmed this today, saying a press release would be issued later in the day.

In February this year, the Government had approved Digicel a licence to operate a mobile phone service in Fiji in October, bringing in competition to Fiji’s monopolized mobile phone sector.

In May, when asked about Digicel’s licence, Ricketts had told FijiLive.com/business that Digicel (Fiji) was expected to get its licence after the government and the operator “sorted out a few details”.

The parties were still sorting out details this week and the licence that was expected early this week was deferred to today.

The two parties were mum on the issues that were being “sorted out”.

Digicel is expected to pay its $US10.25 million (F$15.44m) bid offer (following which the company would be issued the licence).

No comments could be obtained from Digicel today. Digicel’s spokesperson, business development manager, Thomas Underwood’s mobile was switched off.

The company has kept its current progress of preparatory work ahead of the company’s launch in October very much under wraps.

Last year August when it had put in its tender bid, Digicel general counsel David Dillon had said they would be investing about $206 million in the project and a further $US30m "because we want to make Fiji as our regional hub for the Pacific region".

When the company gets its licence to operate, it would immediately provide 80 per cent coverage, Dillion had then said.