Cable & Wireless acquires Marpin 2K4 Ltd

Flow General Manager Jeffrey Baptiste, Director of Dominica Social Security Janice Jean-Jacques Thomas & Chairman of the Dominica Social Security Anthony Joseph signing official documents

ROSEAU, Dominica – May 12th, 2017 – Dominica will soon have the opportunity to experience the best multi-platform TV the region has to offer as Cable & Wireless Communications (C&W), the operators of Flow, today announced that it has acquired local Dominican cable company Marpin 2K4 Ltd (Marpin).

The addition of Marpin means that Flow Dominica will soon be able to offer cable television services in addition to its mobile, fixed-line telephony and high-speed broadband services.

“This is great news for our customers and employees, as this new development further demonstrates our commitment to Dominica, through continued investment and deliver expanded products and services to Dominicans,” said Jeffrey Baptiste, General Manager of Flow. Baptiste also thanked the team at Dominica Social Security (DSS), the former owners of Marpin for a smooth transaction and for working together to ensure the interest of all stakeholders were best met.

As Flow integrates Marpin into its operations, the Company’s intention is to leverage the technical expertise of C&W and Liberty Global, the world’s largest international TV and broadband company. “We expect that Liberty Global’s reach, expertise and influence will enable Flow to eventually transform Marpin’s customers’ television experience via new features such as HD television, multi-platform viewing, as well as the introduction of new and exciting local, regional and international content,” Baptiste also said.

Flow sees its investment to bring television services into the local operation as a continuation of its commitment to Dominica. In October 2014, the Company embarked on a US$4.5 million upgrade of the Island’s mobile service to Superfast 4G connectivity. Now, with the acquisition of Marpin, Flow will continue to make investments to ensure that the approximately 12,500 Marpin TV and Broadband customers experience the best Flow “Hello,” as the Company transitions them to its service platforms.

Baptiste also pointed to Flow’s efforts during Tropical Storm Erika in 2015 to illustrate his Company’s dedicated approach to its customers and employees.

He said, “It was our network that kept thousands of customers connected to family and friends throughout the Storm. It was Flow Dominica, with the support of colleagues across the region who rallied to help out Dominicans in need. Not only are we committed to providing the best quad-play services and bringing world-class content to Dominica – we are equally as committed to ensuring we have a positive impact on the communities we serve. So, let me say, ‘welcome to Flow’ – we are eager to transform your entertainment and communications experience!”

Flow General Manager Jeffrey Baptiste and Director of Dominica Social Security Janice Jean-Jacques exchanging signed copies of the Sales Purchase Agreement (SPA)

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46 Comments

  1. Annon
    May 19, 2017

    Woa woa, it happened with this acquisition: I hope the British don’t do just as they did with the LIME industry in Dominica.
    They used pricing and manipulated availability of supply to hike price globally, then killed the Lime industry here and much of the ACP in order to keep supply low and prices high. We already see they were mad at MARPIN for killing their monopoly, then did all they could to influence their downfall. Now they are only left to do same with DIGI so they get back to whipping us with $5 a minute outside D’a etc. etc. SAD SAD day, we’ve seen this before.

  2. tatiana
    May 15, 2017

    waiting to see what DIGIPLAY comes up with; competition tight. either way, the cheaper tv station i will go with. I already on Flow internet.

    • Raining again
      May 15, 2017

      Flow internet sucks and is too expensive.

  3. Daniel J Tanner
    May 14, 2017

    Is this news or advertisement?

    TV is crap, especially the “Caribbean Package” inflicted on Dominica. It paints unrealistic views that misdirect young people.

    Forget TV. READ!!! Or, use the Internet wisely.

    • The Truth Be Told - Original
      May 15, 2017

      This is the same comment we make in Canada, no exception those in the US and Europe.

  4. Tetemorne
    May 14, 2017

    About time…terrible company. Phone goes unanswered for hours. …poor customer service. Good riddance

  5. HAHN#
    May 13, 2017

    MARPIN TOOK C&W TO COURT NOW C&W BUYING OVER THE SAME MARPIN

  6. May 13, 2017

    why now no tv service. please we payed

  7. Raining again
    May 13, 2017

    Bring the high speed internet ….. !!!!!!! We ready !! I will move back to flow in a heart beat. Waiting to see the competitive packages!!

  8. RastarMarn
    May 13, 2017

    Bad News!!!

    All these Fellows think about is how to maximize profits and how to squeeze the little people,,,

    These fellows are merely shifting profits from one conglomerate to another while it’s a mere 5 or so board members seating on each other’s boards manipulating the markets, and gaining maximum profits, while disadvantaging the little folks,,,

    Look at DOMLEC with its record high profits while people still scrunting to pay their bills,,,

    Look at the organizational structure of how Cables used to be to how Cables have come, Marn remember the days when Cable and Wireless used to be known as Cables that’s when people wanted to work there now it’s a whole bunch of Sub contracted workers not taking pride in their service and it shows, as how they care for the customers,,,

    Marpin is doomed!!! Marn say do a massive boycott!!!

    With all that CBI money why didn’t Skerrit nationalize the Company and let the inhabitants of Dominica own one thing they contribute…

  9. REAL!!!!!!
    May 13, 2017

    I think this is an excellent opportunity for C&W/FLOW to upsell it others products to this 12500 new customers and dominate the communication space again.

    If they provide fair pricing and outstanding technical & customer services this should be a home run.

    Digicel will certainly feel the impact if FLOW can innovate creative Quadruple-Play pricing packages for the marketplace.

  10. May 13, 2017

    What was the purchase price? Too many things in Dominica that are of public concern are kept secret.

  11. Watchman
    May 13, 2017

    The name Mar — Maronie and Pin—- Pinard will remain in the heart of the customer and praise to the man who is a life now seeing his dream purchased by his haters

  12. Watchman
    May 13, 2017

    After fighting Marpin with high interconnect charges , ever so often would disconnect its international facilities , rin them broke all the way to privey councel , you now happy to purchase ! The dominican customer will never forget your treatment to the former owner

  13. Neg
    May 13, 2017

    C and W have a history of having high rates especially in D/A, I am not optimistic when it come to rate cut, just wish that company had gone back to Mr Abraham.

  14. Tell it like it is
    May 13, 2017

    I wonder what Ron Abraham thinks of all this. Remember he took on that same giant to help break its monopoly? Life is really a bitch!

  15. Views
    May 13, 2017

    Finally a breath of fresh air. We want unbiased, investigative news. We want vibrant , educational and stimulating local programs. We want more balanced and active discussions on local issues. Get some professional reporters and news personnel.
    Leave GIS to promote Skerrit and his government. This is a private station and consumers pay for the service.

  16. Jared
    May 12, 2017

    Growing the monopoly.

  17. John Jay
    May 12, 2017

    What is the sale cost

  18. Dominican passports
    May 12, 2017

    The country cannot support two companies… We moving backwards

  19. UDOHREADYET
    May 12, 2017

    hopefully Marpin employees keep their jobs and the customers get improved service at a great price… its a win!

  20. Not better
    May 12, 2017

    It’s not going to get better , monopoly at its best . if you can’t compete with the other guy buy him out.
    And raise the price .
    Profit ,profit , for them .

  21. %
    May 12, 2017

    Its not a surprise to me..Knew it was being considered..FinLly i am hoping to see and listen to GOOD UNBIASED NEWS,not just what bigger GREEDIES want the people to hear!!

    • %
      May 12, 2017

      Finally,i am hoping to see and listen to UNBIASED NEWS,,,..Had already considered switching to the other company.

  22. Not a herd follower
    May 12, 2017

    How much was paid for the acquisition, DNO?

  23. Eve
    May 12, 2017

    What a shame. After Ron fought so hard to dismantle the monopoly? What a shame!

  24. Monopoly to Duopoly
    May 12, 2017

    If today, Cable & Wireless’s (FLOW) shareholders decide that our little island
    is no longer profitable, they will leave us immediately.
    So they are not here to help us, they are here because their shareholders
    are still gaining profits from us, period.

    A little history:
    Cable and Wireless had a legal monopoly over the entire region for many many years.
    Then our little local Dominican company (MARPIN) challenged Cable & Wirelesses monopoly.
    Cable and Wireless viciously defended their monopoly to keep us tied to them.
    They bankrupted MARPIN.
    Made MARPIN suffer for yours, then bought is cheap!!!

    This is typical imperialistic behavior.

    So MARPIN Stood up to Britain.
    Cable and Wireless punished MARPIN for its audacity, killed it, then bought it!!

    But hey, at least we will get our better TV, and keep sending all our money out of the country. MARPIN should be our first choice.

    DIGICELL = Ireland
    CABLE & Wireless = England
    FLOW = USA
    MARPIN = US…

    • Me
      May 15, 2017

      Please, note:

      Flow= Cable & Wirerless as is now Marpin . Cable & Wireless are no longer independent but part of U.S. owned Liberty Global.

  25. Anonymous Reader
    May 12, 2017

    AA! Marpin and Lime/Flow/C&W make back, man???

    That’s nice. I was just about to leave Marpin and GI by digiplay. So now I will wait and see.

  26. Jayson
    May 12, 2017

    Survival of the fittest…

  27. Papa
    May 12, 2017

    eh beh look it
    What’s next? Dominica

  28. Johnnie Boy
    May 12, 2017

    I am happy for this move by Flow , the board of directors must change hope we can see some more unbiased news . Away with the Kamala’s , Sonia Williams and the other party hack on the Board .

  29. Patience
    May 12, 2017

    Oh my lets keep our fingers crossed and hope is for the better

  30. Real Talk
    May 12, 2017

    This news can be viewed as ;bittersweet,’ as Flow is known for high priced internet with slow speeds, while Marpin internet speed is much better, but most importantly it is affordable. Now that Flow owns Marpin, customers I hope will benefit from improved internet and cable, but for the same affordable prices and NOT increased prices like the competitor is doing.

    All Dominicans want is good competition to drive prices down for services, alas we NEED it baddd!!! I hope Flow delivers just that and even more good news. I watching to see how this unfolds…

  31. May 12, 2017

    Finally Flow can establish some much needed upgrades on Marpin’s network. Hoping for the best service :wink:

  32. Chic
    May 12, 2017

    I want to be optimistic but I am afraid…all the best though.

  33. May 12, 2017

    Been a long time coming!

  34. Looking
    May 12, 2017

    I welcome this news with mixed reactions. On the one hand, its time customers get unbiased news and one would sincerely hope that this will be the case. On the other hand, the FLOW experience has not been very good in some of the other islands. The bundled packages have been deemed too expensive and i can almost guarantee that bills are going to be doubled.

    • Malgraysa
      May 12, 2017

      That all depends. The report does not say whether Marpin was sold to Cable & Wireless (Dominica) Ltd, which is a separate legal entity, registered locally and in which the government continues to hold a stake as far as I can tell. They could still influence the programming, particularly local news presentation and would not be opposed to the company optimizing its profits, from which they would stand to benefit also. They are bed-fellows so to speak. Don’t look for tariff reductions any time soon.

  35. awah
    May 12, 2017

    Great move cant wait by by Digi!!

    • Me
      May 12, 2017

      Competition is healthy and good for the consumer.

  36. Mwen Sav
    May 12, 2017

    Eh beh look it!!!!!!!

  37. annoyed
    May 12, 2017

    It was about time…..so long it in the pipeline it finally came a reality. I guess I can now remove my digiplay box at my home.

    • Mwen Sav
      May 15, 2017

      Don’t be to quick. I had to put my tail between my legs and RUN back to them after FLOW kicked me in the but

  38. Fly on the wall
    May 12, 2017

    Great news… The govt need to get it hands out of the country media…!

  39. Real DA
    May 12, 2017

    Finally sum good stations an an good news coverage I would get rid of the whole news team ..

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