Telecoms group Digicel has announced it is deploying ad blocking technology on its networks across the globe.
The Denis O’Brien-owned company, which has mobile networks in the Caribbean and South Pacific, says it is taking the move to ensure a better experience for customers and to encourage the likes of Google, Facebook and Yahoo to help connect the 4.2 billion unconnected people across the globe.
The move will allow customers to browse the mobile web and apps without interruption from advertising messages.
Digicel will work with Israeli start-up Shine Technologies to deploy Shine's mobile ad control technology at the network level.
The project will start in Jamaica and be rolled out to other markets in the Caribbean and South Pacific in the coming months.
Chairman of Digicel Group Denis O’Brien said: "This is about giving customers the best experience and about getting access to broadband to the unconnected and allowing them to benefit from the opportunities it affords.
“Companies like Google, Yahoo and Facebook talk a great game and take a lot of credit when it comes to pushing the idea of broadband for all - but they put no money in.
“Instead they unashamedly trade off the efforts and investments of network operators like Digicel to make money for themselves. That's unacceptable, and we as a network operator, are taking a stand against them to force them to put their hands in their pockets and play a real role in improving the opportunities for economic empowerment for the global population."
