Digicel completes 4G mobile network expansion project - Coverage increased to 92 per cent across Jamaica

Digicel engineers, seen on one of the company's 4G mobile cell sites, carrying out expansions on its network. - Contributed

Telecommunications leader, Digicel, has announced that it has recently completed a massive expansion project on its 4G mobile network, increasing its footprint to now 92 per cent population coverage across Jamaica.

This, according to the company's CEO, Krishna Phillipps, is in keeping with its commitment to providing Internet everywhere for everyone and ensuring that Jamaica stays abreast of mobile technology changes.

In a report, UN State of Broadband 2013, Jamaica ranks 123 out of 170 countries worldwide in mobile broadband penetration (per 100 inhabitants). Additionally, the recently released findings from the Economic and Social Survey 2013 in Jamaica show that of the 920,000 Internet subscribers in Jamaica, over the period 2009 to 2013, 786,680 are mobile subscribers.

improve coverage

In line with these reports, Phillipps says that, "As part of the recent expansions, we deployed 170 new 4G mobile sites across the island to expand coverage and increase 4G mobile capacity in all 14 parishes. We also deployed 17 new 2G and 4G sites to improve coverage in many rural areas."

Digicel said with increased access to its 4G mobile network, they are seeing where customers in the most remote areas now have access to the Internet on their mobile phones.

Patrick King, distribution director at Digicel, said, "Our customers expect us to lead the way in creating a connected Jamaica by providing Internet everywhere - they want a gateway to the online world of content, and that is what we continue to do. That is why we continue to invest in ensuring that our customers have access to Jamaica's only nationwide 4G mobile network, the most affordable suite of the world's best smartphones as well as best value data plans."