I will shortly post definite answers to all the questions and issues raised about the deficulty of telephoning the Gambia. I pretty much know what the problem is but I want to make sure I post the most accurate reason for all these problems. I will do so in the next day or so. Thanks all YN >From: baba jobe <[log in to unmask]> >Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list ><[log in to unmask]> >To: [log in to unmask] >Subject: Gambia Phones Working? The Answers. >Date: Tue, 26 Dec 2000 14:29:01 -0000 > >Please allow me to contribute to this debate on whether Gamtel is to blame >for difficulty in calling the gambia from the us. > >Gamtel actually have direct links with the three main long distance >companies in the us ( AT&T, MCI and Sprint), and most if not all calls from >the USA, notwithstanding your local company), "should" pass through any one >of these companies. > >These companies actually gather traffic statistics and make projections on >the traffic volume to the Gambia, and decisions on whether to increase the >traffic volume or not is made yearly. I was made to understand that the >international traffic between Gamtel (Gambia) and the three major carriers >in the US has no technical or volume problem, not yet. If there was these >companies like AT&T would have requested an increase in traffic volume to >the Gambia. But they haven't. Are you guys with me? > >There is one problem that some of the list members should be aware of >though. Some of these "local companies" or card companies do not >necessarily >have to go through the main long distance carriers in the US. > >To keep their call rates low, they have to find the cheapest rate (route) >to >the Gambia, even if this involves going through the heavily congested >routes >to the Gambia. > >Lamin wrote > >" I then was put through to the International operator who informed me >that there will be a charge if he put me through which I agree cos I had no >choice. >Amazingly,it was a matter of seconds b4 I heard the phone ringing! I " > >This just backs up my theory. In the first case you were trying to access >the cheapest route ( unintentionally ) but couldn't because the route was >too congested. But when you tried the international operator, he/she used >the direct route to the gambia and, surprise surprise you were home and >dry. > >I think Gamtel will appreciate all your contributions and i want to believe >that they are aware of the problem which those in the business call >"refiling". > >But please understand that the problem is not with Gamtel. The company is >well equipped technically with any demand on traffic. The infrastructure >installed at Gamtel for international traffic is one of the latest. >Increment on traffic does not require any new hardware but just equipment >reconfiguration since most of the equipment (international) are used below >capacity. > >This is a problem with the telephone companies one uses to call the Gambia. >Most of these companies do not have any direct links with the gambia, but >they are attractive to subscribers because they offer the cheapest price. >But this comes with a price, long waiting queues to be able to get through" > > >I hope this answers your questions. > > >_________________________________________________________________________ >Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com. > >---------------------------------------------------------------------------- > >To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L >Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html >You may also send subscription requests to >[log in to unmask] >if you have problems accessing the web interface and remember to write your >full name and e-mail address. >---------------------------------------------------------------------------- _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html You may also send subscription requests to [log in to unmask] if you have problems accessing the web interface and remember to write your full name and e-mail address. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------