Digicel is a privately-owned cellular company with operations mostly in the Caribbean. It is the Haitian nation's largest cellular carrier with 3 million subscribers. They also operate a major WiMAX network there (not an Aperto customer). Denis O'Brien, its CEO, said much of the cellular network is still operational and they are doing a full court press to get damaged areas back up. The company also donated $5 million, a collosal amount for a private company that is regional and battling the giant Cable & Wireless.
They are not what you'd consider a WISP, but they have a great local rep as the hire locals mostly and have an institutionalized respect for the cultures in the markets they serve. They are doing great work and on their own dime. Patrick Leary Aperto Networks 813.426.4230 mobile -----Original Message----- From: wireless-boun...@wispa.org [mailto:wireless-boun...@wispa.org] On Behalf Of Andy Trimmell Sent: Thursday, January 14, 2010 1:24 PM To: WISPA General List Subject: Re: [WISPA] Send MONEY Now! If anyone knows a WISP that needs anything in Haiti please post it to the list. I'm sure there's at least one. Thank you. -----Original Message----- From: wireless-boun...@wispa.org [mailto:wireless-boun...@wispa.org] On Behalf Of Jim Patient Sent: Thursday, January 14, 2010 4:11 PM To: WISPA General List Subject: Re: [WISPA] Send MONEY Now! On 1/14/2010 11:16 AM, Jeremy Parr wrote: > 2010/1/14 RickG<rgunder...@gmail.com>: > >> You guys are the best for doing this but be careful who and where you send >> money. Unfortunately, there are a lot of scam artist that will take >> advantage of situations like this. >> > Yes, I would avoid the missionary groups. Doctors Without Borders is > legit, and the Red Cross is always a fairly safe bet. > Your Red Cross dollars could end up in the dump! I wouldn't give the red cross time of day after what we seen on the gulf after Katrina. One of the shelters had 300 people in it with 1 payphone (Mac can verify this). We packed a truck up from Radio Response and sent a crew to the shelter to install a link, 10 PCs, and 10 VoIP phones. They refused to let us install the free service for the people and told us the single pay phone was good enough! It's tough to walk away from lost crying babies because of bureaucratic BS! There were about 30 trucks full of food and supplies in a parking lot near our camp waiting for Red Cross paperwork to distribute it to the people. After over a week in the lot the drivers rather than let the stuff rot (running out of fuel for refer trucks) opened the trucks and let us come in with rental trucks (rented by Jeffmo out of his pocket) and distribute the supplies. The Red Cross never did show up with the authorization to distribute the supplies and 1 of the drivers was fired when their boss found out they opened their truck. Doctors without boarders are awesome and helped set up the clinic in Algeres (NOLA West Bank). BTW that clinic was still giving free health care last year when we were there. I did some googlen yesterday and didn't have much luck at finding an active wisp in Haiti that I could contact. Anyone know one down there? I will shoot a donation to folks Chris recommended but would also like to help a brother WISP and I'm sure there is one or two down there that need it. Jim > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------- > WISPA Wants You! Join today! > http://signup.wispa.org/ > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------- > > WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org > > Subscribe/Unsubscribe: > http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless > > Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/ > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------- WISPA Wants You! Join today! http://signup.wispa.org/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------- WISPA Wants You! Join today! http://signup.wispa.org/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WISPA Wants You! Join today! http://signup.wispa.org/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
