TORTOLA - Digicel has been granted a license to operate a mobile network in the British Virgin Islands, according to separate statements from the company and the government's Telecommunications Regulatory Commission.

The commission made the decision at its meeting Thursday and Friday, and the announcement was made Monday.

The TRC also announced the hiring of retired civil servant Theodore Fahie as director of administration and finance. Fahie has been contracted for three years at $85,000 per year with a 10 percent gratuity at the end of the contract.

With respect to Digicel, the TRC said the amended Digicel application received Nov. 29 was considered and a decision was taken to grant a license for 15 years.

The award of the license comes after the liberalization of the telecommunications industry that was initiated by the government in early 2005, and the award of licenses to two of the three applicants - Cable & Wireless and CCT Global Communications.

Digicel resorted to legal action when its application was denied by the TRC. Its battle was supported by the then opposition, now ruling Virgin Islands Party and many residents.

Digicel Group CEO Colm Delves said as the third entrant into the BVI mobile market, Digicel is set to create positive competition and drive mobile telecommunications development that will bring benefits such as better choice, competitive pricing and technology innovation to the BVI mobile customers.

"We expect to rapidly roll out services in the BVI and the market will be a welcomed addition to our seamless pan Caribbean network," he said. "Digicel's goal is to become the number one operator in the British Virgin Islands."

Digicel has partnered with local telecommunications company JML, owned by Roxie Romney, who has been working to bring Digicel here since 2003.

Romney stopped short of giving a time frame for when operations in the BVI but said that in other locations in the Caribbean Digicel has been able to establish a network within 4 to 6 months.

The British Virgin Islands is expected to become Digicel's 24th market, and the Caribbean mobile operator has earmarked $15 million as its initial investment to build a state-of-the-art network.

Delves said Digicel will employ 20 people directly in the BVI while creating hundreds of indirect jobs. The company also intends to become involved in a range of sponsorships and social and community initiatives.

Digicel has invested $1.9 billion in the region over the past seven years in building a network with operations in 23 markets. The company has close to six million customers and directly employs a total of 3,700 people.

- Contact Angela Burns Piper at 284-499-1691 or e-mail angelaburnspiper@yahoo.com.