Digicel in the process of eliminating roaming charges in Caribbean

Cellular phone roaming charges in the Caribbean are soon to be a thing of the past.

Digicel, a major telecommunications carrier is in the process of implementing a non-roaming tarrif, effectively abolishing roaming charges in the region.

The announcement was made Wednesday in Trinidad & Tobago by the Jamaican Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining Phillip Paulwell, who is also president of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union.

These changes come into effect on October 1. Voice roaming charges in the Caribbean Community will be abolished, while data roaming charges will be discontinued by December 31.

According to Paulwell, Digicel also intends to eliminate taxes on international calls in Jamaica and Haiti.

The move by Digicel – which is the largest telecommunications provider in the region, will prompt other players to do the same, in a bid to remain competitive.

Over the last two months, various leaders, including the Prime Minister of Grenada, Keith Mitchell, have called for the elimination of roaming charges in the Caribbean, insisting that they have been a hindrance to communication and increase the cost of business in the region.