21 Aug 2007

New PNG mobile phone operator unfazed by government attempts to revoke licence

7:53 pm on 21 August 2007

The mobile phone company, Digicel, is confident it will be able to maintain services to Papua New Guineans despite the government's attempt to have its licence taken away.

Digicel's entry into the market has increased mobile phone usage by almost 70 percent in less than a month, but the government, which owns the only other mobile phone network, has issued a directive for the company's licence to be revoked.

Digicel's marketing director, Niamh Byrne, is confident they will be able to continue to offer services in the future.

"The ICCC has granted these licences. The ICCC have got to agree and concur if a licence was to be revoked. They have never agreed or given us any indications that that would be the case. So, we are continuing in our quest to provide mobile telecommunications everywhere in PNG, and we are confident that we will be able to do so."

The matter is before the court and a ruling is expected this week.