- Digicel Vanuatu has reached its second specified target to ensure that 85% of the population is covered after 18 months

Thursday 10th December - Port Vila: Digicel Pacific, the fastest growing mobile operator in the Pacific, has confirmed its position as the leading operator in Vanuatu following the announcement, by the local Telecom Regulator, that Digicel has surpassed the 85% population coverage target set by the Government.

Digicel Vanuatu CEO, Roy Gillingham today welcomed the Telecom Regulator Mr. John Crook's announcement and said, "We are proud to have delivered coverage to more than 85% of the population of Vanuatu. When we launched in June 2008, our goal was to become the number one mobile operator in Vanuatu and I believe today we have achieved that target. We will always offer the people of Vanuatu competitive mobile solutions at affordable prices wherever they live".

Digicel Vanuatu launched in June 2008 when mobile penetration was at just 16% in the country. With an investment of US$35 million (Vuv 3.325 billion) Digicel has built an extensive state of the art GSM network and by offering affordable and innovative mobile services has given many Ni-Vanuatuans access to communications for the first time. The Telecom Regulator Mr. Crook also confirmed this week that the mobile penetration rate has now jumped to 57%.

Digicel is committed to working with the people of Vanuatu. Digicel are the major sponsors of the Women's Beach Volleyball, Vanuatu Cricket Association and the Vanuatu 7's and 15's. Digicel also supports the Vanuatu Society for Disabled People and various other organizations. Only recently, Digicel in conjunction with the Yumi Foundation broke the Guinness Book of Records for the most children to write a story book.