Digicel And Huawei Technologies Successfully Test 10 Gbps Broadband In Jamaica

First-ever deployment in the region of XGPON fibre to the home technology delivering speeds of up to 10,000Mbps

KINGSTON, Jamaica, May 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Digicel Group and Huawei Technologies have successfully showcased the real power of Jamaica's only true fibre to the home network by deploying a technology known as XG-PON on the new fibre network which delivers speeds of up to 10,000Mbps.

XG-PON, which stands for "10Gbps Passive Optical Network" creates a new era in Ultra-Broadband speeds never before seen in the Caribbean region. With the test conducted in Digicel's lab in downtown Kingston using Digicel's new fibre to the home network, these speeds bring Jamaica in line with global leaders like Korea and Singapore in terms of broadband speeds.

Commenting on the blistering fast technology, John Suranyi, CEO of Digicel Play Caribbean and Central America, said: "This was a very exciting trial and we were blown away by the speeds reached and how simple it is to move to these speeds when the region needs it. This shows how we can evolve towards Multi Gigabit speeds as and when our customers demand it and not only puts Digicel Jamaica head and shoulders above all competition, but also places the region alongside the broadband global power houses such as Singapore and Korea."

He continues; "With the direct correlation between broadband penetration and increased GDP widely accepted, this will help attract inward direct investment and promote economic growth. To date we have invested over US$100m in our FTTH fibre programme in Jamaica and our customers are starting to see the real benefits of our investment."

Stephen Ma, CEO of Huawei Technologies Caribbean office, comments; "Together, Digicel and Huawei have done something incredible in this test. Using Digicel's skills and experience in telecommunications and Huawei Technologies Multi-Service Single FAN platform, we have, for the first time, brought multi-gigabit speeds to the Caribbean. This is a huge achievement and a very proud day for both organisations. Our partnership goes from strength to strength and we are very excited about what the future holds."

About Digicel Group:
Digicel Group is a total communications and entertainment provider with operations in 33 markets in the Caribbean, Central America and Asia Pacific. After 15 years of operation, total investment to date stands at over US$5 billion worldwide. The company is renowned for delivering best value, best service and best network.

Digicel is the lead sponsor of Caribbean, Central American and Pacific sports teams, including the Special Olympics teams throughout these regions. Digicel sponsors the West Indies cricket team and is also the presenting partner of the Caribbean Premier League. In the Pacific, Digicel is the proud sponsor of several national rugby teams and also sponsors the Vanuatu cricket team.

Digicel also runs a host of community-based initiatives across its markets and has set up Digicel Foundations in Haiti, Jamaica, Papua New Guinea and Trinidad and Tobago which focus on educational, cultural and social development programmes.

Contact:
Antonia Graham
Digicel Group
+1-876-564-1708
antonia.graham@digicelgroup.com