The Bermuda-based Digicel Group has disputed claims made by telecoms rival Cable & Wireless over its share of the market in the Caribbean.

In a statement released by the company yesterday, Digicel Group chief executive officer Colm Delves said: "We are very proud of taking and growing the market in the Caribbean and, as a result, cannot understand how the former monopolist in those markets has recently made claims of achieving the number one market position in Grenada and being only one percent behind us in St. Vincent & the Grenadines.

"All of our own data and third-party research refutes this. I challenge C&W to substantiate these claims."

Digicel claims to have a 21-percent market share lead over its main competitor in Grenada and a 26-percent lead in St. Vincent & the Grenadines. The company launched its service on both islands in 2003.