1 AFNOG 2001 Country Update: The Gambia

2 What is covered b History of Internet in The Gambia b Current Situation b Short-term Plans b Issues & Constraints

3 History b Nov 1997 Gambia signs up to the UNDP Internet Initiative ProjectGambia signs up to the UNDP Internet Initiative Project b Oct. 1998: Gateway inauguratedGateway inaugurated 512 K Bandwidth512 K Bandwidth 2MbBps Full Internet backbone nationwide2MbBps Full Internet backbone nationwide 2 ISPs operational, PTT and Private2 ISPs operational, PTT and Private

4 Current Situation - connectivity b Basic Infrastructure: Upgrade to 1 Megabit gateway link in December 2000Upgrade to 1 Megabit gateway link in December 2000 Countrywide Internet backbone with 12 PoPs.Countrywide Internet backbone with 12 PoPs. 210 dialup access lines ( )210 dialup access lines ( ) 7 leased connections ( 64K or 128K)7 leased connections ( 64K or 128K) b Users 1997 < < : :

5 Connectivity b Schools with access: in GBA (some with proxy) in GBA (some with proxy) 3 rural (dialup)3 rural (dialup) b Academic centers 3 Full connection (64K or more) GTMI, GTTI, MDI3 Full connection (64K or more) GTMI, GTTI, MDI UniGam, RDI Gambia College on DialupUniGam, RDI Gambia College on Dialup b Research Centers: 1 (MRC, Fajara & Farafenni1 (MRC, Fajara & Farafenni

6 Connectivity b NGOs all on dialup except UNDP (64 kbps)all on dialup except UNDP (64 kbps) b Hotels and Travel Agents all on dialupall on dialup b Government Departments all on dialupall on dialup

7 Connectivity b Cyber cafes >10 big ones in Urban area (using Proxies)>10 big ones in Urban area (using Proxies) 1 in the provincial areas1 in the provincial areas Countless small ones around the cityCountless small ones around the city b VPNs 1 customer1 customer

8 Current Situation -Costs b Dialup Charges: $17 unlimited access + ~1 cents/minute telephone charges$17 unlimited access + ~1 cents/minute telephone charges b Leased Charges: ~$1,300/month for 64K~$1,300/month for 64K ~$2,800/month for 128K ~$2,800/month for 128K educational institutions ~$350 for duration of IIA projecteducational institutions ~$350 for duration of IIA project

9 Current Situation - Sustainability b UNDP Internet Support Project assisted key national institutions get connectivity including GTTI, MDI,assisted key national institutions get connectivity including GTTI, MDI, training of key personnel on Internet use and managementtraining of key personnel on Internet use and management advocacy countrywide, newsletters, seminars, Internet Awareness Weekadvocacy countrywide, newsletters, seminars, Internet Awareness Week

10 Issues & Constraints b Policy and Regulation National Information Communication Policy (NACIP) soon to be adoptedNational Information Communication Policy (NACIP) soon to be adopted very little on Internet issuesvery little on Internet issues PTT advises Ministry on regulatory issuesPTT advises Ministry on regulatory issues

11 Issues & Constraints b Connectivity Very Low PC penetration:Very Low PC penetration: Very low Computer literacyVery low Computer literacy Low telephone density:Low telephone density: –urban centers congested circuits –provinces areas not readily availalable Electricity problems: especially outside GBA;Electricity problems: especially outside GBA;

12 Issues & Constraints b Costing (ISP perspective) ISP operational cost :ISP operational cost : –international access cost high –licensing fee ~US$4,000 one time –high initial equipment costs –running costs (electricity, salaries, security)

13 Issues and Constraints b ICT Development Keeping abreast with tech advancementKeeping abreast with tech advancement introduction of IT curriculum in Schoolsintroduction of IT curriculum in Schools b Partnership and Advocacy PTT & Private sector cooperationPTT & Private sector cooperation ISOC Gambia Chapter operationalISOC Gambia Chapter operational b National Issues.gm ccTLD issue still not resolved.gm ccTLD issue still not resolved

14 Short Term Plans - in the pipeline b Infrastructure Multi-homed gateway - additional 1 - 2megabit by Dec 2001Multi-homed gateway - additional 1 - 2megabit by Dec 2001 Regional connectivity - Looking into connectivity with SenegalRegional connectivity - Looking into connectivity with Senegal Support ISDN connectionsSupport ISDN connections

15 Short Term Plans - in the pipeline b Connectivity University of Gambia to have K by end of yearUniversity of Gambia to have K by end of year Dept of State for Education Computerization of schools projectDept of State for Education Computerization of schools project –16 Secondary schools to have 25 to 50 PC labs built with internet connectivity by Sept 2001 Gamtel to set up rural community centersGamtel to set up rural community centers

16 Short Term Plans - in the pipeline b Capacity Building Cisco to set up a local Networking AcademyCisco to set up a local Networking Academy b Collaboration more PTT & Private sector cooperationmore PTT & Private sector cooperation convening annual stakeholders meeting to discuss bottlenecks and how to reduce high operational costsconvening annual stakeholders meeting to discuss bottlenecks and how to reduce high operational costs