GTA TeleGuam to Invest Another $10 Million on Guam's Communications Network

Improvements Setting Stage for More Competition in Wireless, Digital TV and Broadband

TAMUNING, Guam--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GTA TeleGuam said Thursday it plans to invest about $10 million during 2010 on its integrated communications network in Guam to better position itself for intensifying competition against larger, entrenched competitive providers on the island.

“By continuing to make smart investments in our network, GTA TeleGuam will continue to lead the introduction of innovative and affordable communications products and services that customers expect today.”

GTA TeleGuam plans to make substantial investments to expand its 3G wireless coverage and capabilities as well as its reach with GUdTV, short for Guam Digital Television. GTA TeleGuam was a late entrant and now is the challenger in these growing telecom market segments because of government restrictions before its privatization in 2005.

These new investments are on top of the nearly $75 million the company has invested over the last five years to reposition itself from a government-run local telephone company to a competitive integrated communications provider.

“In addition to 100 percent, typhoon-proven basic telephone service, GTA TeleGuam now competes in wireless, digital television and high-speed Internet access,” said Rolando S. Certeza, executive vice president of sales and marketing for GTA TeleGuam. “These areas are all new to us.

“GTA TeleGuam has been playing catch-up to larger competitors in the fastest growing communications market segments,” Certeza said. “By continuing to make smart investments in our network, GTA TeleGuam will continue to lead the introduction of innovative and affordable communications products and services that customers expect today.

“As an underdog, we continue to challenge our competitors by being first to deliver the best products and services at competitive prices,” Certeza said. “Right now, we are the number-three cellular company and the number-two pay television provider in terms of customers, but our speed and nimbleness in serving our customers is fueling our competitive growth and success.”

GTA TeleGuam was the first carrier to bring both the BlackBerry and iPhone to Guam. Its wireless market share has increased from about two percent five years ago to more than 20 percent in 2009.

The company also introduced competition in the pay TV market segment with its 100 percent digital television service called GUdTV. In its first year, the company quickly attracted more than 10 percent of television households with its superior picture quality and flexible packaging.

“Competition forces companies to improve or die,” Certeza said. “Consumers benefit from competition through improved service, innovative products, lower costs and overall better value.

“Unfortunately, Guam still does not have a level competitive playing field,” Certeza said. “GTA TeleGuam is the only communications carrier that is legally required to share its network with competitors. This inhibits GTA TeleGuam from being more aggressive in other growth areas.”

Although GTA TeleGuam continues to invest in wireless, digital television and high-speed Internet access because of their growth potential, the company also is committing significant investments in renovating its typhoon-ready local telephone network.

As carrier of last resort for landline phone service on island, GTA TeleGuam has an important responsibility to maintain reliable communications. New initiatives are underway to upgrade the company’s copper and fiber cable network and to enhance proactive network monitoring and management. These projects are intended to speed up new telephone installations, repairs and local call center support.

About GTA TeleGuam

GTA TeleGuam provides complete communications services on Guam. These include local and long-distance telephone service, 3G wireless, DSL Internet access, advanced digital television, or IPTV, and carrier-class data circuits. The company also operates a data center on Guam for offering business data storage and managed wide area networking. Based in Tamuning, Guam, GTA TeleGuam is privately owned and locally managed. Shamrock Capital Advisors, a California-based private equity firm founded as the Roy E. Disney Family investment company, and GE provide financial backing to GTA TeleGuam. The company’s website is www.gta.net. Phone: 1-671-644-4482.