Phil Bentley, chief executive officer of Cable and Wireless Communications (left) and Brendan Paddick, CEO and chairman of Columbus Communications are all smiles after inking the proposed merger agreement between both companies in London.
JAMAICA OBSERVER - Telecoms companies Cable and Wireless Communications and Columbus International Inc have announced the pending formation of NewCo, a new company that they say will revolutionise telecommunications in the Caribbean by “putting customers at the heart” of their business.
The establishment of the company will follow the approval and closing of the merger of the two companies.
Making the announcement yesterday, CWC CEO Phil Bentley said that NewCo will invest US$400 million to expand its broadband infrastructure. “This merger will result in the most extensive fibre infrastructure ever constructed in the region, providing wider access to all, specifically targeting low-income households. We will ensure that all our customers have affordable access, while also providing industry-leading 1 gigabyte per second broadband speeds for those customers who want an unparalleled online experience” Bentley disclosed.
Bentley also pledged that the new company formed from the merger of CWC/Columbus would create more than 500 jobs between now and 2019 through growth in its services and by reviewing current outsourcing arrangements. “We will enhance the quality of our customers’ experience, as we invest in jobs closer to our Caribbean customers,” he said.
In giving customers more choices, the new company will become the leading regional supporter of net neutrality and provide full access to legal ‘over-the-top’ services. The company also re-affirmed its commitment for Local Number Portability, which will enable customers to exercise the freedom of keeping their telephone numbers, should they choose to switch operators.
“We are keen to facilitate consumer choice — it’s our customers who define service excellence — and the freedom to access OTT services and to port mobile or fixed-line telephone numbers is a key element of our strategy,” Bentley emphasised.
With the introduction of a ‘no-contract’ service offering, customers will have the ability to transfer landline, video and broadband services at any time, to any provider.
“Our job is to keep our customers satisfied, and if we do not deliver an exceptional experience, we can’t expect their patronage. You can’t contract customer loyalty — you have to earn it,” explained Columbus CEO Brendan Paddick.