DIGICEL GROUP anticipates a 30 per cent increase in staff by the end of 2006, the company announced last week. The company now employs 1,051 employees across the Caribbean in its fourth year of operation. Currently, Digicel's staff is 92 per cent Caribbean nationals, based throughout the company's eight countries of operation. The expansion is due to subscriber growth and market expansion, said Raoul Fontanez, CEO, Digicel Group. He said Digicel employees, "build strong relationships with our customers." Following a US$408 million syndicated funding agreement in March that included US$120 million in (new) debt capital to fund its growth and acquisition strategy, the company is applying for additional operating licences across the Caribbean as more markets open to competition. The company also announced its acquisition of Curaçao Telecom in March. Digicel's rapid growth is expected to bring hundreds of new jobs in areas as diverse as technology, marketing, sales and products, customer care, human resources and legal counsel. The company stated that its employees have the opportunity to enhance their skills through a range of Digicel career development programmes. Reprinted from jamaica-gleaner.com