Popular reggae star, Shaggy, arrived in Tonga on Wednesday for his concert to mark Digicel's launch in the island kingdom.
As reported by the Matangi Tonga Online, Digicel, the carribean-based mobile company that has been expanding in the region, 'officially launched its operation in Nuku'alofa (yesterday) morning, five months after acquiring Tonfon Communications'.'Digicel has invested over $20 million pa'anga to build an upgraded network in Tonga, Vanessa Slowey, the CEO for Digicel Pacific Ltd., said at a press conference (yesterday) morning, at their newly-renovated Phone Shop in Taufa'ahau Rd'.
According to the report, Ms. Slowey also added that they "are focusing the launching with the mobile network but will expand later to other services of television and internet" and 'they are very active in the region and are looking at building a one band Pacific network. Digicel has existing operations in Samoa and Papua New Guinea'.
The company also has a license in principle in Fiji and the Solomon Islands and also has some presence in Vanuatu.
International reggae star Shaggy, known for popular hits such as "Mr. Boombastic" , "Wasn't Me", "Angel", "Strength of a Woman" and many more, was in Tonga to celebrate the launch in a free concert hosted by Digicel.
According to Matangi Tonga Online, 'the outgoing and friendly reggae singer told the Tongan press this morning that his first impression of the island was similar to that of his home island, Jamaica' and that he was 'nonetheless thrilled to be (there)'.
Shaggy's music is popular and well-known in the region, which tends to be drawn to reggae music and the modern twist Shaggy adds to his music makes it a popular sound that can be heard in clubs and bars all around the region.