Fourth GSM License Awarded in The Gambia

A fourth mobile license has been awarded in The Gambia by the Department of State for Communication and Information Technology (DOSCIT). The license has been awarded to locally owned firm, Q-Cell - controlled by Muhammed Jah who also owns the local ISP, QuantumNet. The ISP already operates a fixed wireless service for its broadband internet service, and has its own wireless backhaul network covering 16 cities.

The company has licenses for both GSM and 3G services.

According to a statement from the regulator, the decision to grant the license is in line with universal access principles and the aspirations of President Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh, to ensure increased availability, affordability, modern and reliable communication services to the Gambian people.

"In addition to the existing GSM operators in The Gambia, we expect QCELL will live-up to expectations in this highly competitive environment," the statement concluded.

The Mobile World subscriber database notes that the country ended Q1 '08 with an estimated 928,000 subscribers - representing a population penetration level of just under 54%. The country's three incumbent operators are Africell (53%), Gambia Telecom (29%) and Comium which only launched last June and has already secured a 18% market share.

On the web: QuantumNet - Mobile World

Posted to the site on 22nd August 2008