Hi,
	Circuit Congestion seems to be the issue here. Some calls coming
into the Gambia are failing mainly because once they reach the termination
point; successful handoff might not be taking place. This will result in
long wait of silence while the LD carrier tries to deliver the call into
Gamtel. These calls are being dropped because either insufficient trunks are
assigned, or some trunks assigned to inbound Intl calls are being blocked.
Calling card providers are being charged because the LD Company needs to
recoup revenue for the cost of the unsuccessful call. At this point I will
not subscribe to the illegal termination scenario.
	One effect of this would be possible revenue loss by Gamtel.  I
believe that if capacity is minimized by ongoing expansion work, these
should be scheduled around maintenance windows that would not necessarily
affect consumers and the imperative flow of commerce.
	These are just observations I've made devoid any official word from
Gamtel. We will be better served by accountability from Gamtel to the
Gambian friends and family utilizing these services.

-----Original Message-----
From: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Mo Baldeh
Sent: Sunday, January 28, 2007 11:15 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: GAMTEL & jAMMEH (what happened to the dial tone)

Alieu,

This may sound plausible, but it does not explain why those who could dial
directly from their home or mobile phones would have the same problem
getting through.

I entirely share Pierre's sense of frustration. GAMTEL has more explaining
to offer Gambians than just a simple phone card issue.

Regards,

Momodou.

Alieu Sanyang <[log in to unmask]> wrote: Pierre,
  It certainly has been a frustrating experience for all of us getting
through to Banjul. I am still asking how and why.
  However, I came to realize one thing I am sure has a lot of impact on what
has been going on. And you and all of us wonder why there has not been any
official explanation.
  It is my understanding that the phone cards in circulation has been using
illegal ways to connect to The Gambia. I am told they have been using
"terminators" which charges them only seven cents a minute instead of using
the "gateway" which would have to go through Gamtel and Gamtel charges
fourteen cents/minute. Therefore, Gamtel has been ripped off for the past
years.
  Now Gamtel is tracking the illegal "terminators" and disconnecting the way
they are getting through. Therefre, last month alone, gamtel made $25,000.00
from phone cards used in the United States not counting the other parts of
the world.
  This is one reason I understand now a days a phone card that was giving us
40 minutes months ago is now giving us just about 20 minutes only. I know
this make sense but again, it is from an official in an un-official way.
  Alieu.

Pa-Pierre Gomez 
 wrote:
  Frankly speaking, I am very angry. Am not really sure who to direct
my anger at. Calling Gambia over the past couple of months has been
very depressing. Land phones, cell phones and stupid "Jamano" phone,
all remain silent most of the time. You have to be extremely lucky to
get someone on the other end in Gambia. To add salt to injury, my
phone card loses all its available credit regardless of whether i
speak to someone in Gambia or not.

The other day, after a relentless efforts, i finally got my brother
on his cell phone. By this time, i was so angry that i started a
quarrel with him and literally holding him responsible for being too
difficult to reach by phone. By the time i realise that my brother
does not work at Gamcel, my credit was already used up. It was a
shame that i was blaming my brother for something he is clearly not
responsible of. A week later, i was explaining this to my friend in
florida, he made me laught my ass off when he told me he was verbally
abusive to his wife for the same reason. Both me and him ultimately
admitted that we over-reacted. And that we were blaming the wrong
people.

My point is where the hell are the Gamtel people and why the hell are
they still receiving their salaries. All of you would rot in jail if
i was running the government. Hating President Jammeh does not give
you the right to cut of communication between me and my family- ass
holes. But you know what, President Jammeh is the biggest fool. He
keeps telling people Gambia will become a Silicon Valley. But i call
it "Silo to kong-kunda" Mandinka language meaning 'a foot path to
Baboon land' Land with no telephones or dialtones. Who will invest
their wealth in a country with no dial tone. Jammeh these dreams
cannot gurantee you the presidency for the next 30 years. Ask
President Jawara about his Singaporian Dream. Time will tell. You
better use your magic to solve this telephone problem.

Finally, readers do u realise that the phone card companies have
unilaterally cut minutes usually allowed to call Gambia. For some
strange reasons, all the phone cards such as Boss, Crazy, have
slashed their minutes by half. This applies to Gambia alone. Ooh Poor
Gambia.

P-PG

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