Will
this open the way for broadband in the Gambia?
As UkGambians exclusively revealed a couple of months back in an exclusive
interview with Alex Da Costa, Head of Media & Information Technology during the
AU-SUMMIT, a third mobile service provider will be launched early next year.
What will this positive news bring to the citizens of The Gambia?The Group where Comium belongs to is an acknowledged leader in the provision of
telecommunication services in Lebanon and the Middle-East. Comium also
specializes on Internet & wireless broadband just to mention few. This will be a
great opportunity for the Gambian audience to experience cheaper calls rates due
to the competition with the other GSM service providers. There is also a likely
possibility of the introduction of a cost effective broadband which is necessary
in order to increase the development of technology industry in our country. In a
recent statement our president echoed his support for the IT industry by
promising to create a “Silicon Valley,” a tax free zone for IT development in
the Gambia, this clearly states his view on the importance of IT development.
Having two established mobile operators already in Gambia, Comium
believes that the market is still underserved and that it can bring new and
tangible value to the people in Gambia, through the provision of cost effective
and advanced mobile services. Comium is expecting to go commercial live by 1st
quarter in 2007'.
."On our second anniversary of established presence in West
Africa, I am very pleased and excited for the prospect that Gambia brings to the
Comium family and subscribers alike. The proven track record we pride ourselves
with in Liberia and Sierra Leone, inspired us to celebrate with Gambia's
citizens by bringing new means for their communication needs, encompassing a
host of affordable, diversified and advanced mobile services" said Dr. Nizar
Dalloul, Chairman and CEO of the Comium Group." Gambians deserve better access
to new and innovative mobile services, and Comium is in tune with the needs of
the regional market. Our promise is to deliver high quality coverage, advanced
value added services coupled with world-class customer care. Comium plans to
maximize employment from Gambia, resulting in new job creation opportunities and
possibilities for Gambians" added Dr. Dalloul.
With a population estimated at over 1.6 million, mobile
subscribers in Gambia reached 265,000 in December 2005 yielding a penetration
rate of about 16%. The market witnessed an average 47% annual growth last year.
Comium intends to inspire growth through the introduction of innovative products
and services, coupled with a highly competitive and cost-efficient pricing
strategy together with quality of service represented by coverage, customer care
services, and distribution channels to the market.
About Comium Mobile
Comium Mobile is a fully owned subsidiary of the Comium Group
Luxemburg. In addition to the Ivory Coast, Comium is licensed to carry out GSM
900/1800, International Voice and Broadband Wireless Internet services in
Liberia and Sierra Leone. It offers integrated mobile and telecom services
comprising of postpaid and prepaid voice communications, value-added services,
SMS, and secure high speed Internet Access, together with low cost alternative
International calling card services.
About Comium Luxemburg
The Comium Group is present in over nine countries and operates several telecom
assets in the Middle East and Africa regions with a wide range of activities in
GSM, international traffic, internet, broadband wireless and data operations,
Content, E-Government portals, contracting and turn key services engineering, as
well as e-commerce, web-design and engineering. Since its foundation in 1992,
the Group has dedicated itself to the advancement of emerging markets and has
delivered on the promise in several countries like Liberia, Sierra Leone,
Lebanon, Iraq, Armenia, Brazil and more recently Ivory Coast.
