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­Digicel Group, which has operations in the Caribbean and Central American has reported a 10% increase in its half year EBITDA to US$364 million on revenues of US$857 million. Digicel has grown its subscriber base by 7% in the past 12 months to 7.3 million, and in its most recent quarter to September 30th 2009, it added 98,000 subscribers.

Colm Delves, Digicel Group CEO, comments: “These results demonstrate a strong start to the financial year with Digicel increasing profits and subscribers even in a tough economic climate. Despite increased competition, Digicel is winning market share as customers continue to prefer the better value offered by Digicel’s Bigger, Better Network.”

Digicel‘s revenues for the six months to September 30th were US$857 million – growing 3% in constant currency terms. The company does not publish a net income figure.

See the Digicel Group record in EMAT

See the Colm Delves record in EMAT

­Digicel Jamaica has filed an Arbitration claim with the International Chamber of Commerce (“ICC”) in Paris against Cable &Wireless in relation to allegations of significant unpaid interconnection fees. Cable &Wireless recently rebranded its Caribean mobile networks with the “Lime” brandname.

Digicel says that since July 2009, Lime has been underpaying for its interconnection by approximately US$650,000 per month. Digicel is seeking various declarations and orders from the ICC Arbitration Panel as well as interest on the amounts due and owing together with legal costs.

This claim by Digicel follows the decision of the Jamaica High Court to stay Lime’s US$43 million claim against Digicel earlier this year. While Lime vigorously opposed Digicel‘s application to have those proceedings stayed by the Jamaican Courts, Justice McDonald-Bishop ruled in favour of Digicel.

Richard Fraser, Digicel Jamaica‘s Head of Legal and Regulatory Affairs, comments; “The fact that Lime vigorously opposed this reference to Arbitration before the Jamaican Courts – and that it did not even bother to show up to Court today – leads us to seriously question whether it has as any belief at all in the merits of its own claims. “We want this issue resolved quickly and effectively.

Lime has launched numerous spurious legal and PR offensives in recent months – all cynically and misguidedly calculated to detract from the fact that its business is limping along and it wants to walk away from a contract that it freely entered into in 2001. “

Digicel Jamaica record in EMAT

Cable & Wireless Jamaica, Ltd record in EMAT

Digicel Jamaica and Digicel Group are to combine their respective offices in a new office building, based in downtown Kingston area. Digicel is currently in the final stages of negotiating terms and carrying out feasibility studies on a plot of land right on the waterfront in downtown Kingston.