Digicel boosted its revenue by 12 percent over the past year as its subscription rate rose by 15 percent, according to its latest set of financial results.

The mobile operator, which has an extensive network across the Caribbean, Central America and the Pacific, expanded its subscriber base to 10.8 million throughout its 32 markets and closed the year ended March 31, 2010 with a revenue of $2.2 billion – a compound annual growth rate of 24 percent between 2007 and 2010.

In terms of Digicel Group Ltd., revenues were $1.75 billion - up one percent year-on-year and five percent in constant currency terms – with EBITDA margin increasing to 43 percent, up from 39 percent the previous year.

In those 24 markets, Digicel achieved a significant 31 percent growth in data revenues year-on-year, while the postpaid subscriber base grew by a 18 percent over the same period. The company also continued to lead the way across the region in the provision of BlackBerry services, with BlackBerry user numbers going up by 138 percent.

Digicel Group CEO, Colm Delves, said: "It's been another great year for Digicel. Our promise and commitment to our customers to deliver best value, best service and best network is continuing to translate into sustained growth and strong performance resulting in us once again over delivering against all of our internal targets.

"I would like to thank our customers for their ongoing loyalty to Digicel and to assure them that our focus continues to be on ensuring that they benefit from being with the Bigger, Better Network. In addition, I would like to thank our fantastic staff for their continued great work, commitment and enthusiasm - they are the bedrock of our success."

Other key achievements included the Digicel Group announcing the acquisition of its sister company, Digicel Pacific Ltd. in a deal worth $825m. Digicel Pacific operates in six markets and had 1.7 million subscribers at the year end. Digicel also raised a total of $1.8 billion via the international bond markets – the proceeds of which were used to acquire Digicel Pacific, refinance existing debt and for general corporate purposes, as well as taking over Orange Dominica Ltd.

Meanwhile the company launched its first mobile service in Nauru and continued to experience growth in Jamaica against the backdrop of increased competition, growing its subscriber base by three percent and underlying revenues by two percent year-on-year.

In addition, as the largest mobile provider and largest private investor in Haiti, Digicel's priority in the aftermath of the January 12 earthquake was to ensure customers could stay connected and to assist with the donation of more than $20 million to support the relief efforts, as well as undertaking a number of humanitarian initiatives, including food, temporary housing and aid distribution programmes.

Digicel chairman Denis O'Brien was named Goodwill Ambassador to the City of Port-au-Prince by the Mayor in recognition of his efforts.

In the coming year, Digicel will be launching consumer WiMAX services across Jamaica, while 3G+ will go live in the French West Indies and Bermuda.