This means that LIME customers will be billed at the same roaming rate regardless of which LIME market they visit and applies to LIME customers ONLY when roaming in:

• Anguilla
• Antigua & Barbuda
• Barbados
• British Virgin Islands (BVI)
• Cayman Islands
• Dominica
• Grenada
• Jamaica
• Montserrat
• St. Kitts & Nevis
• St. Lucia
• St. Vincent & the Grenadines
• Turks & Caicos
• Trinidad & Tobago

And as a special introductory offer, all customers will enjoy FREE incoming calls until November 30, 2010.

With One Rate Roaming calls are billed at one flat rate, and text messages and Data are charged at the local rates.  Blackberry customers pay no additional charges when they’re roaming in the 13 LIME markets and in Trinidad & Tobago

One Rate Roaming, which is available to both postpaid and prepaid customers in all LIME markets, is simple to access and makes it very easy for customers to calculate their roaming charges on their monthly bills.

Postpaid customers who do not already have roaming access on their LIME mobile can simply call LIME’s Contact Centre 1-800-804-2994  or visit any LIME Retail Store to request roaming services.  All LIME prepaid customers are automatically provisioned with roaming access. For postpaid customers security deposits may be required but there are no monthly subscription fees for roaming access on either prepaid or postpaid service.

*One-rate” calls are calls on-island and back home (not to other countries).

Under the Theme “Saint Lucia Customs… to the WORLD”, the Customs and Excise Department leading the charge of many countries in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Americas, Europe and the rest of the world in the adoption of this new, vibrant and more user friendly upgrade of ASCUYDA ++.

The ASYCUDA World program is directed at refining the Customs clearance processes. Its main objectives are to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of Customs operations; speed up clearance; simplify procedures and minimize administrative costs.

This move to ASYCUDA World represents an increase in revenue collection, greater management and control of Government finances and a better, a more sustainable condition for trade, as well as information and knowledge sharing.

With effect from August 30, 2010, the Customs and Excise Department will take Saint Lucia Customs to the World—ASYCUDA WORLD!

In light of this transition, the Customs and Excise Department advises all importers, exporters, shippers and their agents or Customs Brokers that a re-registration process is necessary to gain access to this new system.

The department is confident that this move, which allows traders to handle all transactions via the internet, will form a platform from which the Customs and Excise Department can maintain an adequate balance between trade facilitation, border control and the protection of its society.

Hosted by Karib Cable’s Marketing Manager Shermalyn Sidonie-John,  she spoke of the company’s service and dedication to communities.  “As a company we pride ourselves on adding value to the services we provide and aspire to making life easier for each and everyone of our customers,” she said Friday. “This is why we believe it was pivotal to open up an office in the Soufriere community. By doing this, it helps facilitate payment and it helps facilitate sign up for new customers as well as existing customers, and additionally it helps provide employment for persons living within the community,” the marketing manager added. She went on to point out that the company’s CSR is from Soufriere as well as two of the sales reps. “At the end of the day Karib Cable is not just about a better quality service and network, but we also aspire to making better communities and better individuals,” Sidonie added.  She also mentioned that Karib Cable had proudly assisted in bringing Soufriere Carnival and specifically the Queen Show “live” via Choice TV and on the internet. The feedback from that coverage John told her audience was very good.

The district representative for Soufriere Harold Dalson also addressed Friday’s opening of the Karib Cable office, welcoming the company on behalf of residents. “The liberalization of telecommunications in Saint Lucia is probably one of the biggest achievements in Saint Lucia, removing a monopoly and making it possible for competition, making consumers the beneficiaries,” Dalson expressed. “And we can see it today, as companies compete with each other, this reduces rates and allows for more affordable and better services. This liberalization made telecommunication more accessible throughout the length and breadth of Saint Lucia and liberalization made it possible for new companies like Karib Cable,” he stated.

The Soufriere Karib Cable Soufriere team which is lead by Adriana Michelle was then introduced and two presentations made. The first was to a new internet applicant Esnard Henry who received one month free internet and the second presentation was made to the special needs school of Soufriere who will be provided with free internet service. Receiving on the schools behalf was Martha Regis, a caretaker at the school.

The opening ceremony which started with prayers by parish priest Fr. Laurent closed following the ribbon cutting as the event was then celebrated wit music, food and drinks.

The establishment of the Soufriere office now adds to Karib Cable’s offices, which includes the main office in Castries as well as offices in Gros Islet and Vieux Fort.

Karib Cable is a leading provider of Cable TV, High Speed Internet and
Fixed Line Phone services to consumer residences and businesses in Antigua, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Karib Cable currently holds the number one position for high speed broadband internet service in the South American Region.

The hefty allocation will underwrite the delivery of innovative new services and the wide-scale upgrading of existing infrastructure to enhance the quality of the company’s current offerings.

At a media briefing, held Wednesday in Kingston, Jamaica, LIME’s Chief Marketing Officer Chris Dehring said: “Over the next five years we intend to invest more than US$600 million in our 13 business units across the region to improve the services that we offer and to roll out the kind of new technologies and innovative services that will help us to retain our present customers and attract new ones”.

Among several other initiatives, Mr. Dehring said that, the company will be launching its TV service, initially in Jamaica and Barbados, by the end of 2010. In addition, LIME will be: significantly upgrading its Internet capacity to deliver speeds of 8mb or higher; improving its mobile coverage with innovative value added wireless services; and rolling out next generation fixed and mobile networks.

Mr. Dehring also said that LIME will be accelerating the roll out of retail stores to make it easier for customers to access the company’s products and services, and will also be upgrading its Contact Centre to provide an improved Customer Service experience across the region.

“LIME is investing aggressively in the growth and expansion of our business to give the people of the region services that are on par with those offered in places like North America and Europe which will ensure that we remain the provider of choice both now and in the future,” he said. “Throughout most of the Caribbean, LIME is the leading player in the telecoms market and we have no intention of conceding this position.”

He concluded: “LIME is not just about providing telecommunications services to the people of the Caribbean. The company has been an integral part of the region for 140 years and will continue to remain so by ensuring that it contributes to improving the life of Caribbean people in everything they do.”

The lucky number for LIME summer 2010 is 100. That’s how long the promotion will run; it’s the number of days of free service that customers can win for many of the offers; and it’s the number of days during which customers can win cool give-aways.

New and existing LIME customers can look forward to extra value and savings when the promotion gets going this Tuesday, 29 June.

For 100 Nights, all LIME postpaid customers will enjoy FREE calls to any LIME mobile between 9pm and 6am all week long.

And for prepaid customers who purchase LIME’s Talk 24 day-pass, summer will fire up with 24 hours of unlimited talk to any LIME mobile or landline customer.

Starting Monday, 5 July, LIME will add 100 days of FREE service for new customers who sign up for any Internet package during the promotional period. In addition there will be fantastic offers on a range of mobile handsets. These are only a few of the specials on offer in LIME’s 100-day campaign, and as the summer heats up customers can anticipate even more discounts and value for money.

The promotion boasts of 100 Days of cool giveaways ranging from backpacks and T-shirts for the weekly prizes, to the fabulous Apple iPad which is among the variety of fortnightly prizes that will be awarded to persons who meet the minimum requirements; registering for Talk24 twice in a week, talking at least five minutes in a single day from a postpaid mobile account, or signing up for any new service.

This theme of “100” transcends the promotional offers. The campaign marries a mix of great product offerings with some special activities that will recognise and give back to the people of the communities that LIME serves. It’s our way of continuing to demonstrate that Lime is 100% dedicated to making a difference in the lives of the people of the Caribbean– one person at a time.

In announcing the start of the promotion Head of Marketing and Corporate communications, Laurencia Cadette said, “In choosing a focus for summer 2010, no theme could have been more fitting at this point in the evolution of our company. We now have a more vibrant brand that 100% reflects the lifestyles and people of the Caribbean. Our colleagues are 100% committed to our community outreach efforts. And with our with great offers and value for money this summer we are going all out to make our customers feel 100% appreciated.”

Ms Cadette continued, “Because we are 100% Caribbean, we understand that many of the businesses in the Caribbean are feeling the adverse effects of the global recession so LIME will be doing its part to help stimulate the local economies and many of our major prizes will be sourced from local businesses. Staycations, spa treatments, movie tickets are but a few of the rewards in store for our customers. And our emphasis is very much on prizes that can be shared with friends and family.”

During his tenure as GM Mr. Auguste successfully managed the transformation of Cable & Wireless Saint Lucia to LIME and spearheaded the restructuring of the business to allow for better efficiencies and an improved customer experience.

Under his leadership, the company was able to expand its mobile and broadband coverage, thus making both services more easily available to customers throughout the island.

He also received high praise for his role in overseeing the upgrade of LIME’s analogue cable TV system to a fully digitalized cable TV service able to offer customers new packages and exclusive programming.

Mr. Auguste who has been employed with the company for 22 years has served in various positions, including VP of Networks and Technology in Saint Lucia and Head of Networks in Cable & Wireless St Kitts & Nevis.

In his new role as General Manager of the LIME BVI business he is charged with the development and execution of business strategies geared towards the continued growth of the business, the fostering of greater efficiencies and the enhancement the overall customer experience.

“I am proud  and gratified to have been given this opportunity to join the LIME BVI team and look forward to working with my colleagues to serve the needs of our customers,” said Mr. Auguste. “It is another great opportunity to broaden my professional experience and share my knowledge and skills with other members of the LIME family and also to learn from them. It has been truly wonderful working with the St Lucia team and I will always treasure the time we spent working together .I want to thank each and every one of the them, and also our customers in Saint Lucia, for their goodwill and support throughout the years.”

The “East-West” cable will link between Jamaica and the Cayman Islands in the west of the Caribbean, to the British Virgin Islands (Tortola) in the east. It will also land in the Dominican Republic, one of the key markets in the region. Cable & Wireless Communications’ Caribbean business, LIME, has begun installing the cable and is expected to have it operational by early 2011.

The East-West Cable is the third new submarine cable built by Cable & Wireless Communications in the region since 2008, adding to the CBUS cable between Bermuda and the British Virgin Islands and the Gemini-Bermuda cable between Bermuda and the east coast of the US.

The cable will enable Cable & Wireless Communications and its Caribbean business, LIME, to meet the rising demand for high-speed bandwidth from consumers and business customers in the region. LIME operates in 13 Caribbean countries, and is developing a range of new fixed broadband and mobile data services for customers, which will require high quality capacity support.

The cable will also substantially strengthen Cable & Wireless Communications’ capability in serving its carrier customers in North and Latin America, as well as within the Caribbean. Cable & Wireless Communications’ cable system already links with 23 Caribbean countries; the East-West cable will complete a Caribbean ‘network ring’, improving resilience and access for carrier customers. Cable & Wireless Communications’ network is well positioned to benefit from growth in wholesale markets. The Caribbean is a major traffic corridor between South America and the major internet, content and carrier hubs in the United States – acknowledged as one of the fastest growing intercontinental routes in the world today.

The East-West cable strengthens Cable & Wireless Communication’s position as the leading wholesale capacity provider through the Caribbean Sea offering primary and secondary routes to New York and Miami.

Commenting, Tony Rice, CEO at Cable & Wireless Communications said: “The East-West Cable will be a valuable addition to our carrier network, which is already the strongest in the Caribbean. It will enhance the capability and service Cable & Wireless Communications provide to our carrier customers throughout the Americas and the Caribbean. We can supply high capacity, resilient submarine infrastructure in one of the fastest growing cable routes in the world. It also improves our ability to provide customers, in the Caribbean islands, with increasingly innovative services, like mobile data applications and IPTV.”

During the official launch held on Monday at the Orchid Farm in Union, LIME General Manager, Sean Auguste announced that LIME will provide the schools with high-speed broadband service free of charge to complement a donation of computers from the Embassy of the Republic of China on Taiwan to the respective schools. This will enable the students and teachers to have full access to the learning tools provided through Mr. Walker’s ‘In Time’ project.

LIME’s contribution comes in the wake of Cable & Wireless’ earlier partnership with the Government in which the Ministry of Education was able to introduce ICT into primary and secondary schools thanks to C&W who enabled the schools to access the Internet through the Ministry of Education’s EDUNET server.

“Our present partnership could be considered a successor to the EDUNET program. This one should be more successful with more schools having access to computers thanks to the Embassy of the Republic of China on Taiwan,” said LIME General Manager, Sean Auguste.

The computers equipped with full internet access will be used to support the “In Time”  Project which was initiated by Mr. Michael Walker to promote online student centered training in key areas such as mathematics, literacy, health, English, grammar and vocabulary. Relevant training programs have already been conducted with principals and teachers in the first phase of the project.

The project also includes an Administrative and Learning Management System (EMIS) component which is designed to register all school personnel, as well as monitor and provide ongoing evaluation of the progress of the students. It will also enable efficient access to information to facilitate effective decision making.

“LIME is not simply providing the schools with Internet service – we are empowering the students by giving them the tools and the ability to transform and improve their lives. And that is invaluable. We want to help ensure that the students of St Lucia are not left behind and they have access to rich learning resources like the ‘In Time’ project which will help them improve academically and get better jobs. We believe that making Internet service accessible and affordable is critical,” said Mr Auguste.

“Since we transformed to LIME we have made significant enhancements to our broadband network and offered price cuts up to 24% on residential packages to make internet service more affordable across the region. We pumped US$5 million into a major upgrade of our Internet infrastructure to bring our customers faster speeds, more reliable service, and more consumer options.

“We will continue to work in partnership with the governments of the region to bring about efficiencies that can be gained when people are able to access world technologies online,” said Mr Auguste.