Katim,

      I believe the problem must Gambians abroad have in making a call to
the Gambia is not actually cause by Gamtel. I  also believe it is not due to
insufficient number of international circuits linking Gamtel to major
international carriers. The main problem is that most of those outside don't
use their telephones to call direct but instead rely on third party calling
card companies. These companies usually do not have enough circuit to
connect them to their carriers or most of the time their systems are down.
     To prove my point I will like you to try calling anywhere in the
Gambia, even the remotest village you know directly. I can tell you that the
probability of sucess will be above 90%.
       GSM in the Gambia can only be a welcome development especially to
those who had the experience of using the old analogue system. It is
nationwide hence enabling people to talk to their colleagues from anywhere
within the country and may be from neighbouring countries in the future.

   I don't know what our problem in attracting investors to the Gambia is
but I definatly know it is not lack of a relaible telecommunication system.
We have one of the best in Africa if not the world and Gamtel is also trying
to improve on the standards. Bravo to them.

   I have my political allegience but don't normally talk about it so I only
want to limit my discussion on GSM and Gamtel.

Have a nice day.
Gai.




>From: "Katim S. Touray" <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list
><[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: GSM in The Gambia
>Date: Sat, 2 Jun 2001 01:01:45 -0700
>
>Hi folks,
>
>I'd like to jump in on this one, not because it's my area of expertise
>(there are too
>few of those), but because it begs a question.  Given the incredible and
>endemic
>problems calling The Gambia from almost anywhere in the world, what's the
>point in
>launching a GSM service there?  Please tell me if I'm off my rocker, but
>doesn't it
>make more sense to make it easier for people (*and* businesses) to call The
>Gambia
>than to invest in a top-notch internal phone system that's hard to connect
>to?
>
>I've always wondered what this government thinks of the negative impact
>that our
>presently over-stretched international phone lines have on attracting
>investors to
>The Gambia.  Given the already lousy record we have in the international
>community, I
>don't think it makes any sense to add inadequate international phone lines
>to our
>already long list of hurdles that potential investors face when
>contemplating
>investing in The Gambia.  At least not when we want to think that we can
>become the
>Gateway to West Africa.
>
>Finally, with regards roaming, I'd recommend a visit to the GSM World Web
>site:
>
>http://www.gsmworld.com
>
>The site also has a comprehensive list
>(http://www.gsmworld.com/gsminfo/gsminfo.htm)
>of countries and what roaming services their GSM network operators provide.
>Naturally, there's nothing listed for The Gambia, but then again, we are
>just
>starting ...
>
>Have a great weekend, and best wishes.
>
>Katim
>----- Original Message -----
>From: Yusupha C Jow <[log in to unmask]>
>To: <[log in to unmask]>
>Sent: Friday, June 01, 2001 12:31 PM
>Subject: Re: GSM in The Gambia
>
>
> > In a message dated 6/1/01 11:57:47 AM US Mountain Standard Time,
> > [log in to unmask] writes:
> >
> >
> > > Hi Alieu,
> > >          The roaming facility does not come automatic with any GSM
>system.
> > > It is a technical possibility but operators have to agree on both
>technical
> > > and financial terms before it happens. Remember this is business and
> > > somebody has to be pay for the calls.
> > >
> >
> > Hi:
>
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