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Gambia: Senegal Telecom Sectors Set New Ties - As SoS Badjie Visits Dakar
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The Daily Observer (Banjul)
29 April 2008
Posted to the web 29 April 2008
Fatim Badjie, the secretary of state for Communications, Information and Information Technology (DOSCIIT), accompanied by some senior staff of her department and the Chief Executive Officer of GAMTEL with Senior Technical Experts, successfully concluded an official mission to Dakar, Senegal where they held bilateral meetings with their Senegalese counterparts, a press release from DOSCIIT indicated.
Speaking at a meeting held with the Minister of Transport, infrastructure, ICT and Telecommunication of Senegal, Abib Sey during according to the release, SoS Badjie said that, as Gambia and Senegal shared a common heritage, the kind of welcome they received from their Senegalese counterparts and the favorable outcome of the meetings were not surprising. SoS Badjie extended through Minister Sey, a message of goodwill from Alhagi Dr. Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh, to President Abdoulaye Wade and the entire people of Senegal.
Minister Sey in response, expressed similar sentiments, noting that, such bilateral discussions are key instruments for fostering the existing good relations between the two countries, government and people. This, he said, is very pertinent in our relationship and should be safeguarded and nurtured to strengthen cooperation and collaboration between the two sister nations as one and the same people.
Outcome of the meeting
The outcome of the mission to Senegal culuminated into drafting of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two tecommunication companies, GAMTEL and SONATEL which were signed by GAMTEL's chief executive officer, Rein Zolsman and the director general of SONATEL, Sheik Tijan Mbaye respectively.
Under the MOU, SONATEL has agreed to increase The Gambia's total Internet Bandwidth capacity from 34 megabits to 68 megabits by the end of this month. This is also envisaged to be doubled by end of the year to STM1 capacity. The cost of the bandwidth has also been negotiated, and a discount of 28% given to GAMTEL.. The increase in capacity will undoubtedly provide greater access and affordable high speed internet services to Internet Service Providers (ISPS) and consumers.
A new microwave link will be installed in three months time to provide connectivity between Banjul and Kaolack, and through Fibre Optic to Dakar for enhancing GAMTEL's network, and to also serve as a back-up to the South Bank Optical Fibre in the event of fibre cut or damage.
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A technical committee comprising staff of GAMTEL and SONATEL has been setup to regulate the spilling signals between Gamcel and the Senegalese GSM operator ALIZE, especially around the borders. This would help subscribers to avoid unnecessary and costly roaming signals in their own territory.
SONATEL and GAMTEL have also agreed to reduce the charges for roaming by 50% to make it more affordable to the people of the two countries, and the bulk of the reduction would trickledown more to the consumers.
The Gambia and Senegal through their technical institutions further agreed to make use of each other's expertise when the need arise.
as salaamu alaikum unity plus decipline (the constant practice of keeping at bay all ill-feelings and (jinns)towards us away from us.). this, by the grace of allah will produce development. therefore, the formula: Unity plus Dicipline equals to Development Squared. Africa (kemit), keep going forward while praising allah. //imam abdu al bashir
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