The
current state of internet services provided by our GSM operators has left many
customers dump-founded.
What
should have been an atmosphere of fast, reliable and efficient internet
services has now turned into a terrible nightmare for mobile internet users,
according to customers we interviewed.
They
complained that they are not entirely satisfied with the services of GSM
operators in the country, and spoke of their “high tariffs and fast running out
of megabytes.
A
subscriber of one of the networks, Mariam Ceesay, a university student, said:
“My megabytes go so fast, and I believe they’re not fair to us as internet is
cheaper and faster in the neighbouring Senegal”.
She
stressed that the GSM operators need to review their tariffs on internet usage,
and that PURA needs to step in and effectively regulate the GSM operators.
“We
are really tired and need a solution, and I pray they hear our cries; Sorna
Nenj Deh,” she said.
Talking
to The Point newspaper, one Zahra Samateh of Tallinding said her megabytes now
last for 2 to 3 days, which was not the case before, adding that her megabytes
do not last long anymore, as 100MB which is D45 lasts for just 20 minutes or
less.
“I
only use Facebook and whatsapp, which was never the case before,” she added.
She
added that sometimes she feels like going on strike by getting rid of social
media to be able to save her earnings, but it is very hard to do so, and that
the situation leaves one with no option.
“These companies are making life very
difficult for us”.
Looking
at the average Gambian, people are living below the poverty line, but cannot
afford not to use the internet, Ms Samateh said.
She
added that the Internet is a medium of communication for people across the
globe.
The
23-year-old lady said the government should actually come to their aid, as this
really is a cause for concern.
She
pleaded with PURA to step in since they are in charge of the GSM companies, and
to please do regular checks with their heads to see how they are operating.
For
his part, Ba Sainey Santana said recently they have been complaining of the snails-pace
internet connections, with rocket-speed megabytes consumption when browsing the
social media.
“We
are demanding an answer for the root cause of snails-pace internet connections,
poor connectivity and high internet tariffs,” he stressed.
Week
in week out, ‘customers’ are assaulted
with all forms of advertisements from GSM operators through the print and
electronic media, luring them to their internet packages; only to be
disappointed.
He
urged PURA to come up with measures to ensure that ‘they’ customers enjoy their
absolute right to the services they are paying for, and not to be at the mercy
of GSM operators.
Let
GSM operators upgrade their network capacity, and reduce their tariffs in order
to accommodate the ever-increasing demand and developments happening in today’s
mobile communication industry.
“Never
start an undertaking that you cannot sustain,” he continued.
Faalbiram
Zainab also cried that her megabytes run faster than a drone strike.
“I
think the cost of internet use is more expensive than the total of the three
daily meals,” she said, adding that yet still she and many others cannot live
without using the internet.
PURA
should intervene and address this, she went on, adding that the internet is
supposed to be the cheapest, because it is a basic necessity in this modern
world of technology.
“The
four GSM operators are expected by Gambians to set their tariffs in a way which
favours the average Gambian and the less privileged; since we are now living in
a modern world of technology, access should be cheaper and reliable for all.”
