The mobile phone network and home entertainment provider, Digicel Group, has announced the activation of its subsea fibre cable, Deep Blue One, which is expected to “supercharge” connectivity across the Caribbean and South America, particularly benefiting Guyana, French Guiana, Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago.
According to a Digicel release yesterday, this advanced fibre cable network will provide “seamless connectivity” to the countries it serves, “facilitating uninterrupted communication and real-time data transmission.” Further, Deep Blue One also presents an “invaluable opportunity” to connect offshore oil and gas rigs, supporting the growing energy sector in the region and fostering collaboration among key stakeholders in the oil and gas industry.
Digicel Group’s Chief Executive Officer, Marcelo Cataldo, noted that the submarine cable will help drive economic development in the region.
“Subsea fibre has long been the backbone of global connectivity, and Deep Blue One is set to serve as a catalyst for the next wave of economic development in the region. At Digicel, our focus has always been on keeping our customers connected to the people and things that matter most; driving economic development in the countries we serve is a key part of that. This is an exciting milestone for us, and we are committed to unlocking new opportunities for growth and innovation across the region”, he said.
The release noted that the redundant pathways and cutting-edge technology of Deep Blue One will “ensure reliability, optimal operational efficiency and minimal downtime even in challenging environments.” It explained that by leveraging the latest technology, this subsea cable network is also designed to accommodate future growth and evolving technological requirements, offering scalability and flexibility to meet industry demands. Additionally, as part of Digicel’s commitment to minimising its environmental impact, the build out of Deep Blue One prioritised sustainable practices, while supporting the transition towards a greener future.
Meanwhile, Digicel Guyana’s Chief Technical Officer, Cyril Francis, commented on the benefits of Deep Blue One to Guyana. “In Guyana, Deep Blue One will enhance Guyana’s digital integration with the rest of the world and will foster the growth of e-services by offering businesses and consumers more choices that better serves their needs. Deep Blue One is well positioned to support Guyana’s burgeoning oil and gas sector with features that enable offshore connectivity to FPSOs and other platforms. At this juncture of rapid economic development, the launch of Deep Blue One is critical to for the acceleration of Guyana’s transition to a Digital Economy.”
Digicel also highlighted that the link between increased connectivity and improved economic outcomes has long been proven, with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) reporting that a 10% increase in fixed broadband penetration can result in up to 2.3% increase in GDP per capita, while a 10% increase in mobile broadband penetration can result in up to 2.8% increase in GDP per capital.
