HISTORY

Full high speed Internet (FI) came to The Gambia late 1998. Before that a 9.6Kbit link named GAMNET operated by GAMTEL (The country TELCO) served as the main Internet system. Old, proprietary systems like Healtnet and Arpanet was also in use during the early 90's.

In early 1997 Commit Enterprises Ltd. started operating a reliable PoP mail UUZIP mailbag system (dial-up every 30 min.) until late 1998 when the World Bank/UNDP supported Gateway project were opened for private sector and individuals.

The Gateway is a complete satellite system from GAMTEL's Satellite station in Abuko, The Gambia to Teleglobe in Canada. The first satellite link speed when introduced was 512Kbit with a 2MBit in-country line-speed with local access nodes in strategic towns. 

The link speed between The Gambia and the Internet is still satellite based and has been increased gradually since the introduction of FI. Per 2007, the country bandwith is 40 Mbps, with planned expansion to 64 Mbps in the works.

INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS

GAMTEL (Gambia Telecommunications Company)

GAMTEL is the country Telco and have access nodes in the major population centers around The Gambia. They provide standard PoP3 and TCP/IP access for single customers and corporation/organisations.They are also The Gambia Gateway operators as well as IP providers, line providers etc..

QaNet (QaNet Ltd.)

Quantum is a private sector ISP providing standard PoP3 and TCP/IP access for single customers and corporations/organisations using a link to the Internet backbone.

AIRTIP (Africa Revolution Through Internet Power)

AIRTIP is a private sector ISP offering standard PoP3 and TCP/IP access link to the backbone for single customers and corporations/organisations. They are connected to the country backbone. The ISP has a goal of enhancing the image of Africa to the world.

NetPage

NETPAGE is a private sector ISP offering standard PoP3 and TCP/IP access link to the backbone for single customers and corporations/organisations.

MRC (Medical Research Center)

MRC is a medical research facility offering standard PoP3 and TCP/IP access link to the backbone only for a selected number of customers (health sector related)

INTERNET PUBLIC ACCESS POINTS (Cafe's)

There is now a number of Internet Cafe's in The Gambia. Both GAMTEL and Quantum provides Public Access Points with PC terminals with fees pr. minute or hourly. Additional Cafe's are also available from other smaller Internet content Companies.

PRICES

No price information is currently available. Please feel free to inquire at the providers listed here.