Digicel Announced the Appointment of New CEO

Digicel British Virgin Islands announced the appointment of the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Kevin Smith, who performed the duties of Commercial and Operations Director for Digicel from 2013 to 2015, as well as worked as Managing Director of New Direction Business Consulting and held other senior posts at the BVI Post Office and Citco BVI Limited, came back to continue his work in the mobile operator.

Smith has 25 years of experience in commercial and management positions across government and non-government organisations in the British Virgin Islands. His recent role was Chief Operating Officer of the Telecoms Regulatory Commission in July 2018. 

Digicel’s Group CEO Jean-Yves Charlier congratulated Smith on his appointment to lead Digicel BVI having said in his comments: “Along with his strong grasp of the Digicel DNA based on his previous experience with us, he brings the right mix of commercial and customer understanding coupled with a deep passion for technology and development which can only be of benefit to our customers in the BVI.”

Director for Overseas Territories Paying Visit to BVI

The director for Overseas Territories in Britain’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ben Merrick made a four day visit to the British Virgin Islands, during which he was focusing on governance, financial services of the territory, and the post-hurricane recovery. He was talking with the BVI Premier and Minister of Finance Dr Orlando Smith, the Cabinet, the leader of the opposition and representatives of the financial services industry.

One of the main purposes of the visit is to evaluate the influence of financial and technical support from the UK to the BVI after hurricanes, and to discuss further funding and loan guarantees for BVI recovery and development. Government departments and agencies visited by Merrick include the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, the Department of Disaster Management, the BVI Ports Authority, the BVI Airports Authority and the Recovery and Development Agency.

BVI Government Receiving US$65.5mn in Loans and Grants

The board of directors of the Caribbean Development Bank has approved that US$65.5 million will be provided to the government of the British Virgin Islands, in loans and grants. The loans are aimed to assist with the recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction of social and economic infrastructure in the jurisdiction.

According to the preliminary assessment report estimates of the BVI government, there are US$3 billion in damage and losses from Hurricane Irma, which is three times the annual gross domestic product of the country. 

The rehabilitation and reconstruction project which includes several components is to strengthen the socio-cultural and economic preparedness and resilience of the British Virgin Islands to future climate-related hazards. It will be supported through US$65.2 million loan and US$300,000 grant.

In Autumn 2017, three immediate response loans were already approved by the Caribbean Development Bank, totalling US$2.25 million and an emergency relief grant of US$200,000 to the British Virgin Islands after the Hurricanes Irma and Maria, and Tropical Storm José.

BVI Financial Services Industry Continues Functioning

According to the leaders of the British Virgin Islands financial services industry, there is no loss of confidence in the businesses, despite the severe damages done to the territory by Hurricane Irma. Head of Business Development and Marketing department in BVI Finance, Gary Hales, said: “Generally, people are still comfortable using the BVI. By way of example, there are three potential funds which are still looking at the possibility of using BVI… There is no sense of loss of confidence or business, so the BVI is definitely proving that the financial services industry is robust.”

The director of BVI House Asia in Hong Kong, Elise Donovan, confirmed that the financial services industry there is appreciative of accessibility to services; also, the Cayman Islands where all the large companies operating in the BVI are now represented, note the seamless continuation of BVI services. 

It is also important that the premises of BVI Financial Services Commission, regulating the financial industry, survived the hurricane. So, they became operational in some days, and full functionality has been restored to the online company registration portal.

Interim Executive Director at BVI Finance, Lorna Smith, said that there was a keen determination among industry partners to ensure the survival of financial services as part of the overall recovery for the British Virgin Islands.

BVI Hosted Meeting of Winair, Air France and KLM

On January 9, 2017, Winair, Air France and KLM had a joint sales and marketing meeting in the British Virgin Islands, with the purpose to share the latest positive developments between Air France, KLM and Winair which will enhance the market. The companies shared their schedules, traffic patterns and growth of European customers with stakeholders in the BVI.

The participants also discussed the planned codeshare between Winair and KLM and will further enhance connections to the BVI. The code share agreement between Winair and Air France cause the 100% yearly increases of French market growth to the BVI, and the planned codeshare with KLM will unite the route structures of Air France, KLM and Winair and promote better connections to the BVI and other Caribbean countries at a lower price.

Winair (Windward Islands Airways International NV) is a government-owned regional airline, providing air transportation in the Caribbean region, having interline partners with 11 airlines from North and South America, Europe and the Caribbean, and a codeshare agreement with Air France.

New Air Service Launched in BVI

On October 8, it was announced by USVI-based carrier Seaborne Airlines and the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board in collaboration with the BVI Airport Authority about the start of daily round-trip flights between San Juan’s international airport in Puerto Rico and Terrence B. Lettsome International Airport, serving the British Virgin Islands. Flights are to be commenced in two months, on December 8, 2012. It was also stated that by April 2013 Seaborne plans to operate 49 weekly round-trip flights in the BVI.

On December 8, the carrier based in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands, is going to start new service from San Juan to Virgin Gorda. Seaborne will also introduce special promotional fares for BVI residents travelling to San Juan. BVI travellers will have access to Seaborne’s premium lounge at San Juan's Luis Munoz Marin International Airport.

By words of Gary Foss, the president of Seaborne Airlines, this first scheduled service to the British Virgin Islands from their connecting complex in Puerto Rico will allow customers from United States and Canada easy connection to the BVI territory.

Tenth Anniversary of British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission

This week, there was the 10th anniversary since the British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission had been established as an independent regulatory authority for the international financial centre. In December 2001, the Financial Services Commission Act was passed that formally created the Financial Services Commission on 2 January, 2002.

Since that time, the Commission has successfully operated as the body responsible for the regulation, supervision and inspection of all financial services business conducted in and from within the British Virgin Islands. The Registry of Corporate Affairs is a division within the BVI Financial Services Commission that administers the BVI Business Companies Act.

Before the creation of the Financial Services Commission, the financial services industry within the British Virgin Islands was regulated by the BVI government through the Financial Services Department under the Ministry of Finance. All responsibilities previously handled by Government through the Financial Services Department have been taken by the Commission since its establishment.

BVI Government to Give Regulatory Approval to CFC

The Minister for Communications and Works of the British Virgin Islands and the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission have approved the application of National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC) to acquire BVI Cable TV Ltd.

National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation is a cooperative that serves BVI rural utility systems, providing its members with an assured source of market-priced capital and financial products and services. The company has more than $20 billion in assets. Last January, CFC announced that it would make a credit bid to acquire the outstanding stock of BVI Cable and other companies owned by the Innovative Communication Corporation (ICC).

The credit bid is conditioned on approval of regulatory authorities in the jurisdictions where ICC's companies are operating. Prior to receiving the approval of BVI authorities, CFC had already received interim bankruptcy court approval and U.S. antitrust clearance approval. After receiving the remaining approvals, CFC will apply to the bankruptcy court for authorization to proceed with the transfer of control process, acquire and rehabilitate BVI Cable and other ICC-owned companies in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Dutch St. Maarten.

Brand New BVI Website Launched by Digicel

Digicel, which officially started operations in the British Virgin Islands two weeks ago, now has announced the launch of its brand new website.

On the website, which adopts the new format across all of company's other markets in the region, Digicel will feature a host of information and offer full range of services to its customers and other interested persons. The address of the website is www.digicelbvi.com.

Alan Bates, CEO of Digicel BVI Ltd, noted that the innovative service presented by Digicel to its customers and the BVI public, is easy to use, accessible and quick. He also invited everyone to take a look at the site, explore the Digicel offers and learn more about the company.

Digicel purchased license to the BVI operations a year ago. Having invested over US$17 million in the BVI, the company has promoted strong competition into the telecommunications market in the territory, and was the first to bring the whole range of innovative products and services to the British Virgin Islands.

Digicel Launches in BVI

Caribbean operator Digicel Ltd. has launched services in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) by investing US $17 mln in the network for the country.

For Digicel, BVI is 25th market in the Caribbean and Central America and 30th market worldwide – with a population of 23,000 and 90% mobile coverage. Now the fastest growing mobile operator in the Caribbean region plans to provide coverage to 98% of the population, by building a brand new state-of-the-art network that includes innovations such as self-service top up machines with 24-hour access and online bill payment.

Colm Delves, CEO of Digicel Group, said that as the third entrant to the market (after CCT Global Communications and Cable & Wireless) they will drive competition by providing “the best coverage, best care and best value for the people of the country”. He also thanked the BVI Government for all of its assistance with their entrance to the market.

CEO of Digicel BVI is Alan Bates who has been with Digicel since 2003, serving as head of sales and distribution for the Dutch Caribbean region and sales director for Digicel Bermuda.

BVI is one of the most prosperous economies in the Caribbean, with rapidly developing tourism and financial services industry.

BVI Ports Authority to be Managed by the New Team

The BVI Government has approved a seven-member board to manage the British Virgin Islands Ports Authority, Mr. Ronnie Lettsome being the new chairman for a three-year term. Other members of the BVI Ports Authority were appointed to the board with different terms: Mr. Franklin Walters will serve the same three-year term as the chairman, Mr. Gregory Adams and Mr. Maxwell Smith will serve for two years, Mr. Kent Bernier and Ms. Patricia Romney have been appointed for one year.

The Managing Director of the BVI Ports Authority Board, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works, and the Financial Secretary were appointed ex-officio members of the board. All the appointments took effect on July 23.

The BVI Ports Authority was established in 1990 as a corporate entity, and began its operations in 1991. Its main purpose is to provide and maintain the required harbour and marine infrastructure and facilitate the safe, efficient and effective use of ports in the BVI Territory. Starting from July 2008, the BVI Ports Authority enforced harbor charges for vessels entering and staying in the territorial waters of the BVI.

BVI Government Lifts the Ban on Cell Towers Construction

Next day after the announcement by Minister of Communications and Works Hon. Julian Fraser that BVI government lifted the stop of cell sites construction in the territory, Digicel BVI Ltd began the process of relocating the first of several cellular site in the BVI in areas of concern identified by the BVI community.

The BVI government placed a stop order on any further construction of mobile towers on 26 June this year, and construction work was frozen for three months as government organized several meetings between all three licensed telecommunications operators - Cable & Wireless, CCT Global Communications and Digicel – to agree on a tower sharing strategy. The Ministry for Communications and Works and the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission from their side participated in the meetings.

The last meeting of the three mobile providers was held on 26 September, at the invitation of Hon. Julian Fraser who facilitated it with the purpose to review mobile operators' strategy and agreement on co-location of towers in the territory. The mobile operators have agreed on sharing approximately 20 cellular tower sites, and some additional locations are currently undergoing technical evaluation concerning their ability to support co-location.

So, following consideration of the progress made by BVI government and the commitment by the operators achieved in the series of meetings and negotiations, on Monday Minister Fraser announced the decision to lift the freeze. The approval of the mobile tower sharing strategy allowed the recommencement of the construction of mobile towers in BVI.

The benefits of the tower sharing strategy and implementing recently developed DRAFT planning guidelines are minimization of the proliferation of cell towers throughout the territory (which was the problem of the community), and providing mobile operators the ability to improve their coverage profiles.

New Yacht Storage System Introduced in the BVI

The largest full-service marina and boatyard in the British Virgin Islands has introduced a new yacht storage system for hurricane storage that will increase the safety of yachts stored. By this system, Nanny Cay Marina has received the status of an approved hurricane storage facility by one of the world's leading insurer of luxury yachts, Pantaenius.

Nanny Cay is the first boatyard in the Caribbean Windstorm Exclusion Area (CNWEA) with this yacht storage system for hurricane storage. The British Virgin Islands are in the middle of the CNWEA, and from 1 July to 15 November, in the season of hurricanes, yachts generally go south of latitude 12.4N to maintain insurance coverage.

New Airport Being Developed in the British Virgin Islands

BVI Premier Hon. Ralph T. O'Neal said that the renovated Virgin Gorda airport will have the capacity to accomodate 19 seater planes. The project of the complete purchase and development of the airport started in 2002; now, by words of Premier, the new airport will replace a narrow 1960-era airstrip built by administrators of the high-end Little Dix Bay resort. The facility was sold to the government in the late 1990s.

British-based Halcrow Group Ltd. has signed a contract to upgrade the Virgin Gorda site over the next year. Earlier, the company developed airstrips in Montserrat and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

New Harbor Charges Implemented by BVI Ports Authority from July 1

The British Virgin Islands Ports Authority enforces harbor charges effective today (July 1, 2008). Under the new fee structure, vessels entering and remaining in the territorial waters of the BVI will be charged $1 per foot for the first day, $0.75 per foot for the second day and $0.50 per foot for the third day. Vessels using Ports Authority facilities will be levied harbor charges in the amount of $1 per foot of vessel length per day, boats less than 15 feet and those that are home ported in the BVI are exempt from the harbor charges.

By words of Minister of Communications and Works Julian Fraser, for the Ports Authority, as a self-funded organization responsible for the development and maintenance of its infrastructure, it is necessary to collect harbor charges.

In 1991, the Ports Authority awarded a contract to a Canadian firm Sedley & Co. to study the authority's financial situation, and it recommended another fee structure that would ensure the economic viability of the organization. The regulations went into effect in 1997, but have never been enforced until now.

Digicel Announces the Appointment of New CEO of British Virgin Islands

Digicel, the fastest growing mobile operator in the Caribbean and new entrant to the Central American market, has announced this week the promotion of Alan Bates to the position of Digicel CEO British Virgin Islands (BVI).

Alan Bates is a 10-year telecommunications industry expert and former sales director for Digicel Bermuda and the Dutch Caribbean. Prior to joining Digicel he worked as a consultant and held a number of senior sales and management positions in the Irish telecommunications company ESAT. He has worked with Digicel since 2003 in many posts, being head of sales and distribution for Digicel Aruba and head of sales and distribution for the Dutch Caribbean region. In 2006, he was promoted to sales director for Bermuda subsidiary where he played an instrumental role on the team that led Digicel to the number one position in the market, increased the total number of subscribers by more than 100% since 2006, and made Digicel Bermuda as the number one cellular provider in the market.

Kevin White, Digicel Group COO, has commented on the appointment of Alan Bates in BVI: “As CEO, Alan will leverage his vast experience to ensure Digicel's entry into BVI delivers crystal clear coverage, excellent customer care and innovative services that offer customers the best value for their money”.

After Digicel was granted a GSM license in December 2007, to operate in the British Virgin Islands, the company is set to launch its 24th market before the end of the year 2008. Now the company is looking forward to build a state-of-the-art network, and provide close to 100% population coverage. In December 2007, Digicel recorded six million customers, having invested more than US$2 billion in 23 markets.

U.S. New Passport Cards Ease Travelling Regime between BVI and USVI

The U.S. State Department this spring will start issuing passport cards for those who cross border frequently, and these new documents will be also accepted by the British Virgin Islands as the neighbor state.

Passport rules have been tightening in the United States since September 11, 2001, and the new passport cards are just part of an overall tendency. The cards that will be of special importance at land borders with Canada and Mexico can also be useful to local boat captains and other residents of U.S. Virgin Islands who often travel to the BVI and do not want to fill in their paper passports with stamps.

The passport cards will be acceptable for entry and exit by sea from the BVI and other Caribbean territories. The U.S. State Department's assistant Consular Affairs spokesman Cyril Ferenchak said that the entry document will be granted to those going by ferry from the U.S. Virgin Islands to the BVI.

The top officials dealing with passports in both territories, including deputy chief immigration officer for BVI Immigration, recently said they were not aware of any arrangements for passport cards for use by sea in the territory. David Edgecombe, special assistant to the U.S. Virgin Islands governor for external affairs, said he expected the passport cards issue to be discussed with BVI officials during the next weeks.

Positive Effects of Telecoms Liberalization in the British Virgin Islands: Cable & Wireless Lowers its Rates

Cable & Wireless, one of the leading full service telecommunications providers in the Caribbean, announced that it introduces the new Home Plus calling plans and a 25 per cent rate reduction to call mobile numbers from C&W fixed lines in the British Virgin Islands.

Home Plus is a new fixed line calling plan for residential customers, which will be available from 1st February 2008. Home Plus will be added to an existing Home Plan, and will include calls to mobile numbers, in addition to any local Cable & Wireless number, for just $5.00 more per month. Each Home Plus plan has a new one-year contract term.

Home Plus calling and new fixed line rates offer also other benefits and great savings, including:

• Bundled free minutes for all calls made to any local mobile number in the British Virgin Islands;
• 75% decrease in fixed line call rates to mobile calls outside of the bundled free minutes;
• Customers can get unlimited calls to any local Cable & Wireless number, including mobile numbers, for only $5 more each month for the Home Unlimited plan;
• Wider calling area that includes calls to mobile phone, NetSpeak, and more than 10,000 fixed lines, with no connection fee or migration fee to add Home Plus calling.

Digicel gets mobile license in BVI

On December 17, Digicel announced that it has been granted a license to operate in the British Virgin Islands. Soon, the fastest growing mobile operator in the Caribbean and new entrant to Central America will be able to operate a GSM network in the BVI.

The liberalization process that preceded the license was initiated by the BVI Government in the beginning of 2005. With the licence, Digicell becomes the 3rd entrant into the BVI mobile market, so, it should create good competition and move mobile telecommunications development further – and bring enormous benefits including competitive pricing, better choice and technology innovation to mobile customers in the British Virgin Islands.

The BVI is to become the company's 24th market. It should be reminded that entering a number of Caribbean markets was not an easy task for Digicel. Previouslly, Digicel had filed legal action against the BVI Telecommunications Regulatory Commission, and won it, and then it filed an application against the rival operator Cable & Wireless that, as Digicel claimed, used illegal practices to delay the entry of Digicel into a number of Caribbean markets.

Digicel is planning to spend USD 15 million as its initial investment. This is needed to build a network that would offer close to 100% population coverage. The company will directly have 20 employees in BVI as well as create hundreds of indirect jobs.

Digicel’s goal announced by Colm Delves, Digicel Group CEO, is becoming the number one operator in the BVI.

BVI Moves Towards Achieving Category 1 Registration Status

The British Virgin Islands will probably change its vessel registration status from Category 2 to Category 1 within the Red Ensign Group. At the current moment, British Virgin Islands have the status of tax neutral Category 2 Red Ensign port of British Registry operating under the authority of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2001. At the Red Ensign Group (REG) Conference that was held in Guernsey in summer it was announced that the Secretary of State for Transport has agreed to upgrade the British Virgin Islands Shipping Register (VISR) to Category 1 status limited to general cargo ships.

In 2006, the BVI government launched the VI (Virgin Islands) Shipping Registry, which was created out of a merger of the Shipping Registry Division of the BVI Financial Services Commission, with the Marine Services Unit of the Ministry of Communication and Works. Forming of the Registry, which falls administratively under the authority of the Chief Minister's office, means that one of the final conditions required for BVI to operate as Category 1 Shipping Registry is fulfilled.

A change of registration status would lift the current tonnage restrictions on vessels that may be registered under the BVI flag, and provide the new possibilities to the jurisdiction in the merchant shipping arena benefiting.

The BVI government is planning to find the resources needed to create the infrastructure required for the change in status during the period of 2003-2007. Probably, the new status will be formally received before the end of 2007, and then BVI will join the ranks of Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, Gibraltar, the Isle of Man and the United Kingdom.