Current Status of ICT in The Gambia – Focus on Business

Presented by:Muhammed Jah

Managing Director, QuantumNET Co. Ltd.

Presentation Outline

Brief History of ICT in The GambiaICT in Gambian Businesses todayThe way forward for ICT in The Gambia

Prelude

Growing disparity between the countries of the north and the south are so enormous. The huge divide is not only in the socio-economic and political spheres but also in technology.

ICT properly utilised and appropriately applied can bridge this gap; help demarginalise all developing countries and enable them to recapture lost ground and revive their socio-economic initiatives.

The Gambia is no exception. ICT is being utilised in business.

Brief History of ICT The Gambia : Pre –1998 Era

ICT spans four major industries in The Gambia:

TelecommunicationsInformation TechnologyInternetTelevision/Radio

Brief History of ICT in The Gambia

Telecommunications

Digital ExchangesFibre OpticLand line penetration Analogue CellularRadio Pagers

Information TechnologyLow level of computer penetrationBasic computer applications utilisedLow level of human resourcesHigh tariffs on computer equipment Less than 25% utilisation by businesses

Brief History of ICT in The Gambia

InternetX.21 Link available to GAMTEL, 9600 bpsHigh connectivity costs through Compuserve & DelphiLess than 100 customersNo Internet CafesBasic Internet services offered (Email & Browsing only)Few trained personnelNo web presence

Brief History of ICT in The Gambia

Television / RadioOne TV station (Government owned)One Cable TV service provider (Private owned)Several Radio Stations (FM, MW, SW)

Brief History of ICT in The Gambia

Pre – 1998 Benefits

Reliable telephone networkFaster banking servicesCountry-wide television / radio coverage

Pre – 1998 Constraints

Technology advancement was hindered by:

High cost of ICT equipmentHigh illiteracy rateFew ICT personnelLimited involvement of Private sectorAvailabity of electricityLimited Internet accessNo ICT Policy

ICT in Gambian Businesses today

TelecommunicationsDigital Exchanges (All exchanges)Fibre Optic country wideLand line penetration country wide2 GSM Cellular operatorsRadio Pagers (not fully utilised)More corporate customers

Information TechnologyHigher level of computer penetrationMore advanced computer applications utilisedHigher level of human resourcesLower tariffs on computer equipmentMore than 75% utilisation by businessesMore local ICT training institutions

ICT in Gambian Businesses today

InternetMultihomed 2Mbps Backbone, 2 Gateways , total of 3 Mbps bandwidthLower connectivity costs More than 10,000 usersMore than 50 Internet CafesAll Internet services offered 3 Local ISPs : 2 private and 1 governmentMore trained personnelAdvent of e-commerce: Internet & telephone bankingMore businesses with web presence

ICT in Gambian Businesses today

Television / RadioOne TV station (Government owned)Two Cable TV service providers (Private owned)Satellite TV (DSTV)More Radio Stations (FM, MW, SW)

ICT in Gambian Businesses today

Current Benefits

More ICT related employment opportunitiesFaster, cheaper and more reliable communication servicesDrastic reduction of operational costsMore private sector participationICT policy discussions in progressIntegration of Gambian businesses into global markets

Current ConstraintsTechnology advancement is hindered by:

Relatively high cost of ICT equipmentHigh illiteracy rateFew ICT personnelLimited involvement of Private sectorAvailability of electricity outside Greater Banjul AreaRelatively high cost of Internet accessLimited Internet bandwidthStill No ICT PolicyTelecommunication monopolyHigh Telecommunication tariffsNo on-line payment facilities

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The way forward for ICT in The Gambia

More collaboration between business sector & governmentZero tariffs on ICT equipmentNo monopolyICT PolicyEncourage more ICT InstitutionsTrain more ICT personnelMore incentives for ICT businessesEncourage newer and cheaper telecommunications technologiesHigh local telephone penetrationCountry-wide electricity

Thank You