Gambia launches first national broadband internet
Banjul, Gambia (PANA) - The Gambia Wednesday launched its first broadband internet project following a loan agreement signed between the West African country and China in 2017.
According to official sources, the project is being implemented by Huawei and Gambia Telecommunication Company Limited (GAMTEL).
Reports reaching PANA indicate that The Gambia has now entered the digital society era, affording families and enterprises the opportunity to access the high-speed internet, enjoy digital services, and develop the digital economy of The Gambia.
Gambian Vice-President Dr. Isatou Touray and the Chinese government described the broadband as one of the most important cooperation projects.
“The national broadband is very important for the people of Gambia, which not only extends the country’s 400 km fiber optical but also plays an important role of the national development plan,” she said.
She said the project had succeeded in making up the last mile of the original national optical network so that households and enterprises could easily access internet at cheaper prices and enjoy digital services.
She added that this would reduce the cost of using internet at a lower price Gambians can benefit from open internet usage.
"The Government is committed to accelerating social transformation with digitization and hoping to increase GDP by using ICT technologies and we are hoping that Huawei and Gamtel will strengthen further cooperation with government," she concluded.
Chinese Ambassador to The Gambia Ma Jianchun commended the efforts of the government and Gambian people for promoting social development, saying China and the Gambia were working together towards a new digital era.
The ambassador said China intended to build a national broadband project so that technology could accelerate social digitalization and support infrastructure projects like water and electricity.
He added that the project would surely open a window for the community and people of The Gambia to observe the world digital era.
He also said China would provide the government with opportunities for greater development in the future.
-0- PANA MSS/RA 26June2019
