Digicel Group on Monday said it made US$364 million on operations at half-year, from revenues of US$857 million from its 24 markets in the Caribbean and El Salvador.

It was, the company said, a 10 per cent improved outcome at half-year ending September 30, 2009.

Digicel also trumpeted a 98,000 gain in subscriber numbers in the July to September period, saying the company now had 7.3 million clients, helped by its latest acquisition - Orange Dominica, a subsidiary of France Telecom on which a deal was finalised September 11.

It also reported improved operating profit margins of 44 per cent on EBITDA, up from 40 per cent.

Strong start

"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" said group chief executive Colm Delves in a company statement.

But Digicel's growth appears not to be as robust as rival, Claro Jamaica, whose parent said last week that its Jamaican operation alone accounted for more than half of the 185,000 new subscribers added in the Caribbean alone within the September quarter, according to parent America Movil, which also put regional wireless subscriber growth at one million or 33 per cent for the nine-month period.

Digicel said the capital markets appeared confident in its strength, noting that in July, the group raised US$160 million of capital via a new bond issue, and that the offer was over subscribed.

"We have demonstrated that with disciplined cost control and relentless focus on giving customers what they want, companies can continue to thrive even in challenging times," said Delves.

Digicel, a private company, does not publicly disclose its net earnings.

Its worldwide operations also include assets in the South Pacific, placing its global subscriber base at 10.3 million.

"This represents a growth rate of an impressive 35 per cent and an additional 2.7 million customers enjoying the Digicel service," said the company.