Gambia: Gambia Communication Profile

Gambia’s political stability has led to consistent healthy GDP growth which was barely affected by the global economic crisis. The country’s telecoms sector is characterised by four mobile networks with a fifth network (Globacom) licensed in 2010. Gamtel is the sole fixed-line provider. Although the incumbent has a relatively well-developed national backbone network including fibre, fixed-line penetration has remained low, which has also hindered Internet usage.
 

Gambia’s telecoms sector has four mobile networks with a fifth one (Globacom) preparing to launch. Mobile market penetration is well above the African average. The national telco, Gamtel competes in the mobile sector through its subsidiary Gamcel against Africell and Comium, both with Lebanese backing, and QCell which is affiliated with one of the country’s leading ISPs.

Gamtel is the sole fixed-line provider. Although the incumbent has a relatively well-developed national fibre backbone network, fixed-line penetration has remained low, which has also hindered internet usage.

The launch of a second 3G mobile broadband service in early 2012 has brought more competition to the internet sector where ADSL, WiMAX and EV-DO wireless broadband offerings are also available. The landing of the first international submarine fibre-optic cable in the country in 2011, to be followed by a second one in the near future, will dramatically lower the cost of international bandwidth.

Gambia’s largely tourism-based economy went into recession in 2012, but GDP growth is expected to grow by almost 10% in 2014.

Market highlights:

• Country gains direct access to international fibre bandwidth;
• 3G mobile broadband significantly cheaper than other broadband services;
• Mobile penetration approaches 90%;
• Fifth mobile network preparing to launch;
• Gamtel contracts Huawei for fibre backbone project;
• Gamtel reported a financial loss of GMD259 million for 2012, with poor infrastructure and equipment compounded by the effects of vandalism and difficulties in securing finance for investment.

Estimated market penetration rates in Gambia’s telecoms sector – end-2013