#National News

PURA hosts Int’l stakeholder training on business plan for broadband networks

Oct 18, 2023, 12:32 PM | Article By: Fatou Dem

The Gambia Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) in collaboration with the Policy and Regulation Initiative for Digital Africa (PRIDA) recently played host to a capacity building on business plan for broadband networks.

The Policy and Regulation Initiative for Digital Africa (PRIDA) under its International Telecommunication Union is designed to provide participants with both theoretical principles and practical guidelines for developing a comprehensive business plan for broadband networks.

The training was held on the theme: "Increasing a digital society with access to high speed and reliable broadband internet.”

The objective of the training, among other things, was to enhance the capacity of Mobile Network Operations (MNOs) and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) whilst also increasing performance in the ICT sector.

PRIDA is a joint initiative of the African Union, European Union (EU), and International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to enable the African continent to reap the benefits of digitalisation by addressing various dimensions of broadband supplied in Africa.

Speaking during the event, Yusupha M. Jobe, Director General of PURA, highlighted the importance of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in this day and age, saying ICT is the bedrock of modern economies and societal progress.

“Broadband stands out as the transformative technology of our era, considering its profound impact on e-government, telecommunications systems, radio, TV and countless other sectors.” DG Jobe said.

He continued that access to high-speed broadband networks has the potential to significantly enhance productivity and competitiveness for businesses. “In the economic reality of the 21st century, we must strive to propel strategies that will fully harness technological advances for the benefit of our countries and their citizens.” he stated.