Contacts:

Magdalena Moimoi

Marketing, Digicel Tonga

Mobile: +676 886 5314

Magdalena.Moimoi@digicelgroup.com

DIGICEL STARS RECEIVE INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT

Tuesday 17^th August 2010: The search continues as supporters reluctantly bid farewell to singing hopefuls on Digicel Tonga’s very first reality talent show -  Digicel Stars.

Gripping Tongans locally and internationally with excitement, Digicel Star’s weekly elimination process that began with 50 contestants selected through the nationwide auditioning process has now only 10 contestants left standing. The buzz has aroused international interest as supporters from the US, to the Fiji’s, NZ, Australia as well as France and other countries in Europe eagerly text in to Vote for their favourite Star’s. Digicel Star’s supporters based overseas do not feel left out as they closely follow the competition through prompt updates on YouTube and Facebook. The weekly elimination process has seen tears of sadness and tears of Joy and the suspense keeps growing as each week draws everyone closer to a highly anticipated exciting finale.

Top 10 contestants that have made it through the elimination processes so far are: Paula Vakalahi of Kolomotu’a, Filipo Lemoto of Hala’ovave, Rachael Faiva’ilo of Longolongo, David Hala of Fasi moe Afi, Meleane Loto’aniu of Ma’ufanga, Mele Nikua, Dianne Taumalolo, Suliasi Pole’o and Jessica Makueta Afa of Vaini, and Eunice Fakatoumafi of Tatakamotonga. To vote for the contestants, people can text in to 7827 or +676 877 7827 for overseas supporters to see their favourite Star make it through to the next round of Elimination on Tuesday 24^th August 2010.

Winner of the Digicel Stars competition will receive a prize package which includes an all Expenses Trip to be part of Jamaica’s Digicel Rising Stars Competition sponsored by Digicel Jamaica. Air New Zealand has generously sponsored Return Trips to Australia and New Zealand respectively. Chathams Pacific has sponsored flights for Digicel Star Judges and Production Team to visit Vava’u, Ha’apai and ‘Eua as well as provide return tickets for winners from each of the islands to fly down to Tonga and become part of the Competition in July with Loumaile Lodge and Black Pearl Suites providing accommodation. Puataukanave Hotel, Sandy Beach Resort and The Hideaway in ‘Eua, have also generously provided accommodation for the Digicel Star Team visiting the Islands. Prizes will also include Cash Money, Electrical Equipment and much more from Digicel and sponsors including TMN TV2, Four Seasons Lagoon Resort, Image Center NZ, Leiola Duty Free, Nokia, Vete Electronics, Prema & Sons, Tonga Pure Water, Punjas and Coca-cola, Beach Hut Café, 88.6FM, Talking Heads ICMI Speakers & Entertainers.

Commercial Manager Jack Bourke said “This is just the beginning of Digicel Stars! Next year will involve the entire Pacific and it will be BIGGER AND BETTER! It’s a competition and Tonga you have chosen who you want to go through!

Digicel Star’s is delivering its promise to showcase the wealth of talent across the kingdom, and the quest to find the best person to represent the Kingdom of Tonga to the Digicel Rising Stars is being decided by the people of Tonga.

ABOUT DIGICEL PACIFIC

With operations in six markets Digicel Pacific has become the fastest-growing telecommunications provider within the region and has recently won a licence to operate in French Polynesia.

Digicel’s launch in Samoa in November 2006 was followed by Papua New Guinea in July 2007, Tonga in May 2008, Vanuatu in June 2008 and Fiji in October 2008. Digicel launched in Nauru in September 2009 bringing mobile communications to the country for the first time.

Globally the Digicel brand now operates in 32 markets across the Caribbean, Central America and the Pacific and is renowned for competitive rates, unbeatable coverage, superior customer care, a wide variety of products and services, and state-of-the-art handsets.

Digicel is the proud sponsor of sport and community initiatives across the Pacific including the Digicel Fiji 7s, Manu Samoa Rugby, the Digicel Cup club rugby tournaments in Fiji and Tonga, Beach Volleyball and Cricket in Vanuatu and the PNG Volleyball Federation.

For more information, please visit http://www.digicelpacific.com