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 Gambia ICT in Gambian Businesses today The 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: Telecommunications Information Technology Internet Television/Radio

Brief History of ICT in The Gambia Telecommunications Digital Exchanges Fibre Optic Land line penetration Analogue Cellular Radio Pagers

Information Technology Low level of computer penetration Basic computer applications utilised Low level of human resources High tariffs on computer equipment Less than 25% utilisation by businesses Brief History of ICT in The Gambia

Internet X.21 Link available to GAMTEL, 9600 bps High connectivity costs through Compuserve & Delphi Less than 100 customers No Internet Cafes Basic Internet services offered ( & Browsing only) Few trained personnel No web presence Brief History of ICT in The Gambia

Television / Radio One 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 network Faster banking services Country-wide television / radio coverage

Pre – 1998 Constraints Technology advancement was hindered by: High cost of ICT equipment High illiteracy rate Few ICT personnel Limited involvement of Private sector Availabity of electricity Limited Internet access No ICT Policy

ICT in Gambian Businesses today Telecommunications Digital Exchanges (All exchanges) Fibre Optic country wide Land line penetration country wide 2 GSM Cellular operators Radio Pagers (not fully utilised) More corporate customers

Information Technology Higher level of computer penetration More advanced computer applications utilised Higher level of human resources Lower tariffs on computer equipment More than 75% utilisation by businesses More local ICT training institutions ICT in Gambian Businesses today

Internet Multihomed 2Mbps Backbone, 2 Gateways, total of 3 Mbps bandwidth Lower connectivity costs More than 10,000 users More than 50 Internet Cafes All Internet services offered 3 Local ISPs : 2 private and 1 government More trained personnel Advent of e-commerce: Internet & telephone banking More businesses with web presence ICT in Gambian Businesses today

Television / Radio One 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 opportunities Faster, cheaper and more reliable communication services Drastic reduction of operational costs More private sector participation ICT policy discussions in progress Integration of Gambian businesses into global markets

Current Constraints Technology advancement is hindered by: Relatively high cost of ICT equipment High illiteracy rate Few ICT personnel Limited involvement of Private sector Availability of electricity outside Greater Banjul Area Relatively high cost of Internet access Limited Internet bandwidth Still No ICT Policy Telecommunication monopoly High Telecommunication tariffs No on-line payment facilities

The way forward for ICT in The Gambia More collaboration between business sector & government Zero tariffs on ICT equipment No monopoly ICT Policy Encourage more ICT Institutions Train more ICT personnel More incentives for ICT businesses Encourage newer and cheaper telecommunications technologies High local telephone penetration Country-wide electricity

Thank You