Cellular promotion war heats up

Both held massive motorcades around the country, offering giveaways including mobile phones, promotional items and even tickets to the FIFA World Cup.

From as early as 6 am, huge crowds gathered in front of various Digicel locations to purchase their cell phones. While they waited, they were treated to free doubles, drinks and entertainment. Police officers were also on hand to control the crowd.

At the official opening of the company’s Independence Square, Port-of-Spain dealership, Digicel CEO Stephen Brewer stated feedback from customers indicated that they were very pleased at the high level of customer service experienced at the outlets. He also expressed gratitude to the public for their “favourable” response to the company’s launch. He added that the opening of the Independence Square branch was seen as a landmark in the city.

“The nation has taken another step in the direction of developed country status by the year 2020, and we plan to be there when that landmark is reached,” he said.

Also present were Mayor Murchison Brown and calypso legend David Rudder — Digicel’s principal spokeperson.

Brown in welcoming Digicel to the local telecommunications market stated, “I am seeing a lot of new initiatives as Digicel has come on board and we are seeing the competition really lifting to another height.”

Rudder, who composed the company’s trademark song stated, “It is good that Digicel is here to give people an opportunity to have quality service at a price that they can afford, it is revolution time.”

Digicel’s motorcade started just after the PoS stores’ opening at about 11 am. But even as this was going on, bmobile had a motorcade of its own which included Moko Jumbies and dancers dressed in green. That motorcade started around the Queen’s Park Savannah and ended on Independence Square.

Free phones and tickets to the World Cup were given away to anyone seen dressed in green. Bmobile was also offering free postpaid mobile phones at all their branches and from yesterday travelling customers were given free roaming services.

Meanwhile, Michael Barrow CEO of the third player in the local cellular market — Laqtel — congratulated Digicel on “offering choice to the market.” He stated his company does not feel threatened as Digicel was always expected to launch before them. Barrow said that by June or July, Laqtel is expected to launch their services to the nation. However, he cited several setbacks. “Laqtel has been trying to reorganise itself, the new regulations as far as cell site towers are concerned have affected our planning,” he said.

He added that the company is in the process of “redoing” their planning in order to comply with cell tower regulations. He stated Laqtel is now able to access Digicel towers and they are currently negotiating with Digicel in terms of obtaining locations for their cell towers.