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Current Status of ICT in The Gambia – Focus on Business

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.

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Current Status of ICT in The Gambia – Focus on Business

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  1. Current Status of ICT in The Gambia– Focus on Business Presented by: Muhammed Jah Managing Director, QuantumNET Co. Ltd.

  2. Presentation Outline • Brief History of ICT in The Gambia • ICT in Gambian Businesses today • The way forward for ICT in The Gambia

  3. 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.

  4. Brief History of ICT The Gambia : Pre –1998 Era • ICT spans four major industries in The Gambia: • Telecommunications • Information Technology • Internet • Television/Radio

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

  6. Brief History of ICT in The Gambia • 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

  7. 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 (Email & Browsing only) • Few trained personnel • No web presence

  8. 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)

  9. Pre – 1998 Benefits • Reliable telephone network • Faster banking services • Country-wide television / radio coverage

  10. 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

  11. 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

  12. ICT in Gambian Businesses today • 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

  13. 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

  14. 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)

  15. 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

  16. 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

  17. 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

  18. Thank You

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