Digicel profits exceed $1bn mark

Increased smart-phone usage in developing regions around Central America and the Caribbean has helped boost pre-tax earnings atthe Denis O’Brien-owned Digicel pass the $1bn (€800m) mark for the first time.

Figures just published show the Jamaican-based telecommunications firm — which has a presence across Central America, the Caribbean and southern Pacific/Oceania regions — boosted subscriber numbers by 27%, to 12.8m people, with total revenues, for the 12 months to the end of March, rising by 14%, to $2.54bn.

The company does not break out net profit figures, but earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose from $954m in the previous year to just over $1.08bn.