Digicel Group said it activated its subsea fibre optic cable ‘Deep Blue One’ to “supercharge” connectivity across Guyana, French Guiana, Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago. It said the cable network will provide seamless connectivity, facilitating uninterrupted communication and real-time data transmission.
Deep Blue One also presents an opportunity to connect offshore oil and gas rigs, supporting the growing energy sector in the region, Digicel said.
Digicel is one of several telecommunications providers, alongside GTT and ENet, ramping up services to capitalize on economic growth in Guyana and to support offshore petroleum operations. ExxonMobil continues to expand operations offshore, including by adding floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels to the Stabroek Block.
Marcelo Cataldo, Digicel Group’s Chief Executive Officer said, “Subsea fibre has long been the backbone of global connectivity, and Deep Blue One is set to serve as a catalyst for the next wave of economic development in the region.”
Digicel said Deep Blue One’s redundant pathways and cutting-edge technology ensures reliability, optimal operational efficiency and minimal downtime even in challenging environments. Leveraging the latest technology, the company expects this subsea cable network to accommodate future growth and evolving technological requirements, offering scalability and flexibility to meet industry demands. Additionally, it said the build-out of Deep Blue One prioritized sustainable practices.
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Cyril Francis, Digicel Guyana’s Chief Technical Officer said, “In Guyana, Deep Blue One will enhance Guyana’s digital integration with the rest of the world and will foster the growth of e-services by offering businesses and consumers more choices that better serves their needs.”
He said Deep Blue One is well positioned to support Guyana’s burgeoning oil and gas sector with features that enable offshore connectivity to FPSOs and other platforms.
Digicel endorsed statements by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) which indicate that increased connectivity can catalyze greater economic growth. It said the ITU reported that a 10% increase in fixed broadband penetration can result in up to 2.3% increase in GDP per capita, while a 10% increase in mobile broadband penetration can result in up to 2.8% increase in GDP per capita.
