Mobile Phone - Haiti Observer Blog

After a very promising start at the launch of their new subscriber package in Haiti, telecommunications giant Digicel has reported a fall in their subscriber numbers in the country and other Caribbean neighbors in recent months. The loss valued at $7million takes their profit in the three months counted, ending in September, to only $691 million.

Their numbers took the a most dramatic dip in Haiti, a market that had proved so promising before with the company dominating at 75% market share, falling by 6% in their subscriber numbers and 11% in sales. This loss is juxtaposed with a growth rate of 2%, but the problem, according to the company headed by Irish billionaire Denis O'Brien, can be found in the sliding dollar phenomenon experienced in countries such as Haiti, Jamaica and Papua New Guinea.

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If the Haitian government could have it his way, to communicate with a friend or family member outside of Haiti, you would have to go back to the time when you go to Teleco, pay a huge fee. Then, you ask the operator to make the call. You wait in the waiting room from anywhere between one to four hours. Finally, there is contact, you are called to go to a small "cabine". If you are lucky, the person is there. You need to speak loudly in order for the person to hear you; at the same time, everyone else become part of the conversation.

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One of the most successful companies that has been operating in the Haitian market has not been feeling very good lately. For the past three Months ending in September, 2013 revenues for Digicel fell by over $7million to $691million. This is definitely. The number is much worst in Haiti for Digicel. "Tande"...

Mezanmi Yon Nouvel Konsa Pa Ka Pote Denis O'Brien bien Di Tou

The performance of Digicel in Haiti performance dipped sharply. The leading cellphone company who at one time was the only player in the Haitian market watched its sales fell by 11 percent to $126 million.

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Irishman Denis O'Brien is billionaire entrepreneur who has succeeded in establishing mobile phone company, Digicel, on the island since 2006. His company is Haiti's biggest private investor.

Digicel's share of consumer users in Haiti is 4.8 million, nearly 50% of the island's population. This is a remarkable accomplishment in a country where the government of Haiti (GOH), and local development banks have been lax in courting private investment.

In December 2012, O'Brien held an awards event for small business owners, "Entrepreneur of the Year". President Martelly acknowledged O'Brien's enormous contributions.

Digicel generated revenue of around $2.5 billion during the 2011-2012 fiscal year, Haiti's contribution being $439 million. O'Brien sees the potential of small business owners in Haiti, having re-located Digicel's call center from monied Martinique to Haiti.

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