Digicel has entered into a network sharing joint venture with Iliad, which allows the French operator to access Digicel’s Radio Access Network capabilities in the French West Indies.

The agreement sees Digicel monetising its significant network assets across five countries in the French West Indies region – Martinique, Guadeloupe, French Guiana, St. Martin and St. Barth – while Iliad benefits from a solution to launch its mobile services.

The two companies will share future operational investments with an ambition of building one of the most extensive networks in the French West Indies by increasing the number of sites and providing further fibre connectivity for improved coverage and speed. The agreement is subject to the required regulatory approvals.

Commenting on the agreement, Digicel Group CEO, Jean-Yves Charlier, said; “As we continue our journey towards becoming a digital operator, we recognise that sharing infrastructure in a multi-operator marketplace provides the foundation to offer better network services to our customers, whilst reducing the cost structure.”

“A joint venture of this nature is a first for Digicel and allows us to accelerate our digital ambitions. We are delighted to be partnering with a world-class telecom operator in Iliad and to be sharing a common vision of jointly building one of the most extensive networks across the French West Indies.”