After four years Mr. Bates will reportedly be leaving Digicel BVI for a promotion in the Dutch Caribbean. He has been a popular CEO in the VI as Digicel expands and competes with two other cellular carriers. Photo: Digicel

One of Digicel's advertisements over the years.

The title of the new post is unclear, however, according to this news site's sources close to the matter, it will be a major promotion where Mr. Bates is expected to be the "number 2 man" for the Dutch Caribbean Digicel, a market much bigger than the VI.

Mr. Bates, with over 14 years of telecommunications industry experience and a former Sales Director for Digicel Bermuda and the Dutch Caribbean, came to the VI in 2008 following the liberalization of the telecommunications sector here.

Digicel was awarded a GSM license for the VI in December 2007 and the next year it was launched. Since coming to the VI, Mr. Bates has been very supportive of local sports, entertainment and other social events via Digicel sponsorship.

As a result of the entry of Digicel to the VI market, the cost of cellular calls have gone down as the company pumped millions of dollars in the VI economy through its infrastructure expansion programme. It also provided many jobs for locals.

Mr. Bates, a very visible manager, has also developed very good relationships with many social and political leaders in the VI as Digicel has expanded its business base and offerings to the VI customers.

According to a Digicel website, Mr. Bates has worked with Digicel since 2003 serving many roles, including head of sales and distribution for Digicel Aruba and head of sales and distribution for the Dutch Caribbean region. In 2006, he was promoted to sales director for Bermuda where he played an instrumental role on the team that led Digicel to the number one position in the market, increased the total number of subscribers by over 100 percent since 2006, and positioned Digicel Bermuda as the number one cellular provider in the market.

Virgin Islands News Online spoke with Mr. Bates, who said he had no comment at this time, but referred us to Angela Burns, who could not be reached as of press time.

His post is currently being advertised in local news papers and it is unclear when a successor will be named.