CaribPR Wire

Company Implements Several Key Initiatives to Help Support Those Affected by the Earthquake in Haiti

 MIAMI, Feb. 18 /PRNewswire/ — Brightstar Corp., a leading global services company providing innovative distribution and supply chain solutions to the wireless industry, has implemented several initiatives, via financial and equipment donations, to help the people of Haiti recover from the recent earthquake catastrophe.

 Marcelo Claure, chairman, president and CEO of Brightstar, has initiated a company-wide “50-50 Fundraising Challenge.”  For every dollar Brightstar employees contribute, the company will match it one hundred percent. All funds raised will be donated to Doctors Without Borders, an international medical humanitarian organization that brings medical care and relief supplies to people caught in crisis. To date thousands of dollars have been raised by Brightstar employees.

 The company has also engaged in donating wireless equipment via its U.S. operations including donating mobile devices to the relief effort including:

• Through a joint partnership with AT&T, Brightstar has provided and delivered 5,000 wireless devices
• 150 fixed wireless units to Digicel, the largest mobile telecommunications operator in the Caribbean
• 150 fixed wireless units to Comcel, a Haitian mobile phone operator

 William Hague, executive vice-president, AT&T Roaming and International said, “When we learned about the desperate need for wireless phones in Haiti, we turned to Brightstar and they responded fast, and in a big way. We’re proud to have such a great business ally.”

 Brightstar also started a non-perishable collections program to donate items such as food and bottled water, first aid supplies, blankets, sheets and toiletries.  In January, many pallets of donated items were delivered to Haiti. Next month, after the international disaster relief organizations have assessed what the people of Haiti further need longer term, the company is also planning to donate clothing items and shoes. 

 ”We are working quickly to help assist Haiti in their relief efforts as well as their rebuilding efforts, with a specific focus on helping the country with device distribution to support the communications infrastructure as that is our forte,” said Marcelo Claure.  “We will continue to monitor the telecommunications situation in Haiti, and as needed, we will work with our partners to continue sending additional critically-needed telecommunications equipment.”

 About Brightstar

Brightstar Corp. is a multi-billion dollar global leader in demand generation distribution and integrated supply chain solutions for the converging wireless and IT industries.  With sales and distribution facilities on six continents, Brightstar offers leading wireless and IT manufacturers the largest global reach, enabling the right product to be in the right place, at the right time.  Brightstar’s supply chain solutions are used by the world’s top network operators and retailers to improve financial results, increase EBITDA and turn their supply chains into a competitive advantage.  For more information on Brightstar, please visit www.brightstarcorp.com.