Digicel controls Nextar

Mobile giant Digicel has acquired controlling interests in Nextar Technologies, the leading systems integrator in the Caribbean region, after taking a 51 per cent stake in the Puerto Rico-based firm.

The Denis O'Brien-owned firm would not reveal how much equity they have acquired, but said both companies would be working together to achieve even greater business success and market share as the region's newest information and communications technology (ICT) powerhouse.

"This is two of the Caribbean's leading companies coming together to provide expert services in the Caribbean to the Caribbean," said Kevin White, chief operating officer (COO) of Digicel Group. "The integration of Nextar into the Digicel family see us being able to expand the ICT services we offer and broaden the scope of customers we can serve.

"Together, Digicel and Netxar will provide a full suite of ICT services to corporate and public sector customers across the region and ensure they get the best of the best while, importantly, keeping their costs down."

Digicel has made some inroads since focusing on the expansion of its ICT offerings to its Caribbean corporate customers in 2007. This has resulted in businesses reducing their ICT spend by between 30 and 40 per cent.

70 per cent local market

The Irish company claims approxi-mately 70 per cent of the market locally.

Netxar Technologies was founded in June 2000, and relocated to the Caribbean region the following year. The company has operations in the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.

Nextar has established itself as a leader in the advanced technologies and complex integrated communication systems, and is a Master Unified Communication and Master Managed Service Partner and a member of Cisco's elite one per cent partners, which is consi-dered vital in securing and serving top corporate and public sector customers.

"For years, corporate and public sector customers have been searching for a business partner who can deliver both world-class telecommunication services and ICT solutions," said president and CEO of Netxar, Frank Santiago, "Now, customers will benefit from technology solutions that leverage their IT framework as a competitive advantage, while reducing operational costs and increasing productivity.

"The support and involvement of Digicel which, in 10 short years, has had such a positive impact on the Caribbean communications space, will see us delivering even better solutions to an even broader range of corporate customers."