Caribbean-based mobile phone group Digicel announced today its workforce had exceeded 1,000 for the first time.
The Irish company - founded by entrepreneur Mr Denis O'Brien and in operation for four years - said it now employed 1,051 staff and anticipated a 30 per cent increase in its workforce by the end of 2006 due to subscriber growth and market expansion.
Digicel completed a $408 million (€308 million) fundraising agreement in March to fuel a new aggressive growth strategy.
It operates in Aruba, Barbados, the Cayman Islands, Grenada, Jamaica, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines. It is estimated to be the largest GSM mobile operator in the region, with an average market share of 60 per cent.
The company plans to move into other Caribbean countries and is one of five operators fighting for a new licence in Trinidad and Tobago.
Digicel chairman Denis O'Brien said: "Our business continues to experience rapid growth and we have ambitious plans for the future."