The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA), recently hosted the 11th Forum on Telecommunications/ICT Regulation and Regional Africa (FTRA-2010), at the Kairaba Beach Hotel in Kololi, attracting over 150 regional and international delegates to The Gambia from all West African states.
Speaking at the occasion, Alhagie Abdoulie Cham, the Minister of Communications, Information and Information Infrastructure dilated on the regulatory challenges confronting the ITU-D Regional Development forum 2010 for the African region.
"The forum would be based on collaborative efforts between the ITU, PURA, service-providers in the telecoms sector and indeed the government of The Gambia," he said.
He added that his ministry is determined to continue to push the agenda of the government of The Gambia in respect of encouraging an efficient and liberalised market for communications.
Speaking earlier, Alagie B. Gaye, the Director General of PURA stated that at the 10th Forum on Telecommunications/ICT Regulation and Partnership held in Zambia, it was agreed that for Africa to attain the connect Africa goal 1, interconnect all Africa capitals and major cities with ICT broadband infrastructure and strengthen connectivity with the rest of the world by 2010, there is need for broadband capacity sharing and the adoption of open access principles.
Also speaking at the occasion, the Director General of Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority, who was represented by Mrs Judith MC Tembo, said that this year is significant, as both the International Telecommunications Union and the African Telecommunications Union are due to hold plenipotentiary conferences in
