Branson’s Necker Island now powered by Digicel

Digicel Group said on Wednesday that Sir Richard Branson’s private island, Necker, is now powered by its systems.

“The agreement comes as a result of a fire that took place on the island in 2011 – which temporarily left it without any connectivity to the outside world,” the company said in a press release.

Branson has opted to shift his official residence to Necker, a Caribbean island that he owns in the British Virgin Islands. The Great House on the property was recently restored after a devastating fire in 2011 that destroyed much of the infrastructure.

Working with Necker Island General Manager Kenton Jones, Digicel Business got the island connected to the Internet, and has now put in place a Dedicated Internet Access (DIA) system as well as fixed line services, said the telecom.

BVI is one of the 31 markets in which Digicel operates.

Digicel BVI Business Solutions Manager Matthew Drum says the company has provided Necker with technologies such as Multi-Point Label Switching, DIA, as well as data replication and recovery services.

Necker Island is a 74-acre property that Branson said in a blog post on October 13 he acquired 34 years ago at the age of 29. Branson said he and wife Joan have relocated to the island for health reasons