Public nods interconnection rates reduction

The telecommunication industry is among the fastest growing industries in the world; its impact is even more felt in the developing world, as some studies show, given the number of people that are said to be making good use of the facilities on offer. Mobile communication remains a very popular feature even among the rural poor in Africa. In spite of all this, the cost to put through a single call remains a global debate, especially in Africa. The story is no different in The Gambia. Subscribers of the various networks across the country can testify to the hardship they face when they place calls across different networks.

Apparently it had also been a concern for the authorities. This warranted government, through the Department of State for Communication, in conjunction with the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA), to come up with the decision of bringing down the tariff, from D2.50/2.00 to D1.00. The changes, according to the statement obtained from the authorities concerned, is set to take effect by October 8, this year, whilst efforts will be made to take it further down, from D1.00 to D0.05 by April 8, 2009.

As our readers would expect, we sent our reporters out and about, on a mission to gauge public view about the development. An overwhelming majority of the general public who were interviewed welcomed the development, while a few gave a second thought to the idea.

Amie Bojang-Sissoho
Program officer - Gamcotrap
This is a development that we have yearned for for so long. It is going to protect the consumers from high interconnection rates, as well as reducing the fear of people calling different networks.  But what is also important here is that, it would discourage the usage of multiple mobile phones.  So the development should be welcomed wholeheartedly.

Babou Gaye
Corporate Affairs Officer - Guaranty Trust Bank
The decision was long overdue as it is something we have been expecting from the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority. So I believe that this development is a step in the right direction since it aims at protecting consumers. I am appealing to all the operators to welcome this initiative as it is good for the industry.

Satang Bojang
Market vendor - Sandika - Serrekunda
For us, as women in business, it will greatly help in uplifting the communication barriers we encounter.  Sometimes our customers get discouraged thanks to the problem of communicating with us, all due to the high interconnection rates.  But I believe things will change as soon as this decision is implemented.

Alagie Ali Mbaye
Renowned Gambian businessman
This development is something that would greatly enable the average consumer to communicate at affordable cost.  Really, calling a different network has been like making an international call, which is really bad.  So I expect the operators to comply with the decision because at the end of the day, they will be helping the society.  The idea is important in that it will ensure that everybody, regardless of what category they are in, will be entitled to enjoy the benefit of mobile communication.  I commend the authorities for such a timely action.

Bakary Badjie
program officer - Child Protection Alliance
This is an excellent idea and, hopefully, people will now adapt to the usage of one mobile phone for easy and affordable communication. This is something that we all need to cherish as making calls to different networks has been expensive.  So I will commend DoSCIIT and PURA for such a timely intervention.

Amadou Jobe
Branch manager - Sanya Yalla Mobile Shop
This is a development that should be welcomed without hesitation. Although it may seem bad to the operators, I think the interest of the consumers should be considered since they remain the backbone of the industry. In fact this would encourage people to buy mobile phones since the fear of feeding them would be a thing of the past.

Famara Fofana
Techno Photo Studio
This is a very significant step taken by the authorities. It is the first time in the history of the GSM industry that stakeholders have agreed on a tariff reduction that can be afforded by virtually all Gambians. I wish and pray that this laudable initiative would be effective and sustainable.

Harry Kumar
Salesman - MP Trading
It is good since it will allow the average Gambian to communicate at an affordable cost. Although it would cut down on the profit of the operators, the number of calls will increase. So the decision is very balanced and, I think, it is good for both the consumers and the operators. Again, people would be confident enough to enjoy mobile communication.

Malang Touray Alias Jalex Musician
The decision is very good, considering the fact that communication is a necessity in life.  People’s business transactions should not be hindered because of high interconnection rates. Communication should be made to reach the average Gambian. So I think the decision is good for operators since it would also enable them to gain more subscribers.

Joe Wilson
IT Manager – Daily Observer
This is a perfect decision because communication is part of development. Making it easily affordable to people is a way of promoting development.  This decision demonstrates government’s resolve to ensure justice and progress for the people.  My advice to the operators is to be more innovative so as to grab more customers.

Hon. Seedy Njie
National  Assembly member
It is long overdue considering the fact that communicating through different networks has been very expensive. So now that the interconnection rates will drop significantly, the operators will now be seen to be doing justice to their subscribers.  More importantly, this development reflects the government’s resolve to ensuring quality, reliable and affordable communication to all Gambians.
So I wish that it is sustainable and that the operators would cooperate with the development.

Pa malick Ceesay
Executive Secretary, National Youth Council
This is a very important development. The reality is that the operators should not only look at their interest, but that of the general consumers as well. So it is good for everybody, as we all face the difficulties of this high interconnection rate. I want to commend the authorities for ensuring that communication is affordable to average Gambians.