- The Gambia’s efforts to provide wireless telephones to 350 villages have been hampered by insufficient funds, the Communications and Information Technology Minister, Nenneh Macdouall-Gaye, told the parliament.
She said Gambia Telecommunications Company Ltd (Gamtel), the country's telecommunications provider, needs to raise US $1.9 milllion to complete the rollout of wireless links to the rural communities.
In 2005, Gamtel first rolled out fixed wireless local telephony services using CDMA technology with a local brand name of Jamano. Most Gambians, especially those in the urban areas, questioned the security of Jamano. They saw it as the government’s scheme to tap private calls in and out of the country.
Apparently, the government opted for the Airspan without explaining the reasons.
But according to Mrs Macdouall-Gaye, the Airspan wireless installed by Gamtel in rural and semi-rural Gambia has proven to be costly, hence the delays. She said the residential lines provided via Airspan each cost US $3,000, which is why the government is planning to provide install CDMA, which is cheaper in some rural communities.
Mrs Macdouall-Gaye said while the Airspan project is being reviewed, the government has halted connection work for the earmarked villages. In the meantime, the government is also making efforts to borrow additional funds from banks in the country.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
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