Dennise Williams, Staff Reporter
FORMER CINGULAR Wireless executive and current MiPhone vice-president of sales and marketing operations Alex Hill, states that the announcement that Digicel will acquire Cingular Wireless, "is a sad day for competition in the Eastern Caribbean."
On Wednesday it was announced that Digicel had entered into an agreement to acquire Cingular's Caribbean operations for an undisclosed amount. This agreement also includes a roaming agreement that provides favourable roaming rates in each other's markets.
In response, Maureen Rabbit, corporate communications manager for Digicel, said, "Even with the impending purchase of Cingular Wireless, customers still have choices. We bring value added to the cellular service. Just look at here in Jamaica. We were able to reduce rates by 40 per cent."
Cingular Wireless is the creation of a partnership between SBC Communication Inc and BellSouth Corporation, an AT&T spin off.
"When you have three competitors, it keeps two honest," Mr. Hill said.
