Digicel links Buka
By ROMALUS MASIU and AUGUSTINE KINNA
DIGICEL officially launched its cell phone services on Buka Island yesterday.
Through its six cell sites, Digicel network covers Buka Island and the northern tip of mainland Bougainville.
Coverage would be extended to the rest of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville once new cell sites have been switched on.
“We are still doing more to expand our network in the region to ensure that Bougainville is 100% covered,” chief executive Kevin O’Sullivan said during the launch.
He said the company has bigger plans to invest on Bougainville and to continue to grow in partnership with business and stakeholders in the region.
He said Digicel is not only here to provide communication service but also to assist in the social and economical growth of the region, including supplementary support to sports and health services.
“We see that Bougainville has the potential economic avenue … therefore, our presence here is to make use of this avenue and support Bougainville in its service delivery.”
As a special launch offer for Bougainville, phones will be sold at a promotional price of K35 for one week.
Mr O’Sullivan said this has never been done any where in the country except for Bougainville and Alotau, which was switched on last Monday.
Autonomous Bou-gainville Government acting president John Tabinaman thanked Digicel for its “brave investment” to provide communication services to Bougainvilleans despite the region’s many problems.
Mr Tabinaman, who stood in for President Joseph Kabui, was impressed with the voice clarity of the network.
He also urged the people of Bougainville to look after Digicel’s facilities as the company is providing an important service.
Jeffery Nabuai, ABG communications minister, said ABG stands ready to work with Digicel to find cheap and affordable ways to enable both people and business enjoy its cell phone services.
“My ministry is putting in place the mechanisms or framework to enable Digicel to provide these services with ease,” he said.
Mr Nabuai said with two cell phone service providers in the region, “we foresee further improvement in affordability and an acceptable level of telecommunications service in our region”.
Since its inception eight months ago, the Irish-owned telco has so far invested more than K450 million to roll out its network across the country.
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