| Author |
 Topic  |
|
toubab1020
12306 Posts |
 Posted - 20 Apr 2013 : 23:22:37
|
Is this correct? I cannot find any reference on this in any Gambian hard copy newspaper.HOWEVER Yahoo has many entries
http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=regime+bans+Viber%2C+Skype&ei=UTF-8&fr=moz35
Gambia bans Viber, Skype
Published on:Friday, April 19, 2013
Dictator Jammeh’s regime bans Viber, Skype
The regime of dictator Yahya Jammeh in the Gambia has ban the use of free internet calling services Viber and Skype.
The regime through the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) said the use of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services is not authorized.
They warned that anyone who is engaged in this activity is depriving the country of the much needed revenue from International and National calls, required for the development of The Gambia- thus economic crimes.
“PURA wishes to inform the general public that it has come to its notice that there are companies and/or individuals operating through Internet Cafes and offering Dating services and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services as a commercially available service to the public in The Gambia. Therefore, all are hereby informed that such practices are not authorized.”
The Jammeh regime make it abundantly clear that the offering of “International and National Calling Services” within Internet Cafes using VoIP services (Viber, Skype, etc) is strictly prohibited within the boundary of the Gambia.
The Gambia Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) is a multi-sector regulator established by an Act of the National Assembly of The Gambia. Under The Gambia Public Utilities Authority Act of 2001 (The PURA Act), which came into force at the latter part of 2003, the National Assembly (Parliament) set up PURA as a multi-sector regulator.
http://americanstreetnews.com/news/gambia-bans-viber-skype
|
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
|
Edited by - toubab1020 on 20 Apr 2013 23:42:12 |
|
|
sab
United Kingdom
912 Posts |
Posted - 20 Apr 2013 : 23:57:57
|
Sad & Unbelievable..but payment is around D1200 per month for a card with Skype, isn't it?
|
The world would be a poorer place if it was peopled by children whose parents risked nothing in the cause of social justice, for fear of personal loss. (Joe Slovo - African revolutionary) |
 |
|
|
Momodou
Denmark
11646 Posts |
Posted - 21 Apr 2013 : 10:34:55
|
Let's see how regulation of this prohibition will work. At least both services are still working.
It's nonsense to say that revenue is being lost because people are paying for Internet services. The use of Skype and Viber are not completely free for users in Gambia because you have to get credit in your phone or pay for Internet use on a computer.
Last year it was announced Ethopia was going to ban the use of skype but later denied it.
Ethiopia: Govt Denies Banning Skype and Other Internet Communication Services
|
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
|
|
|
toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 21 Apr 2013 : 12:29:57
|
| The wording of the information that has been published by americanstreetnews (assuming that it is accurate) is as I would understand the article referring to commercial enterprises offering such services,meaning that access to the two programmes mentioned is OK for personal use but not to make "business " money from,as I wrote before I cannot find any reference to this subject (as yet) in any Gambian hard copy newspapers,in which case how are Gambian businesses going to know that what they are doing is "not authorized" ?,if in fact they ARE charging additional fees to the public for access to these programmes,all a bit ambiguous to the average reader. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
|
Edited by - toubab1020 on 21 Apr 2013 12:32:55 |
|
|
|
sab
United Kingdom
912 Posts |
Posted - 21 Apr 2013 : 13:51:11
|
The news is around in The Gambia, as each person I have spoken with has heard about it & waiting to see if & when the law will come in, or the internet cafes closed down by the authorities. |
The world would be a poorer place if it was peopled by children whose parents risked nothing in the cause of social justice, for fear of personal loss. (Joe Slovo - African revolutionary) |
|
|
|
Nyarikangbanna
United Kingdom
1382 Posts |
Posted - 21 Apr 2013 : 16:29:35
|
Oh its becoming too much now. I think what they mean by lost of revenue is the fact that these calls don't go through Gamtel because people are not using calling cards which norMally go through Gamtel's sockets and for which fees are levied. That is my understanding.
Thanks
|
I do not oppose unity but I oppose dumb union. |
|
|
|
Nyarikangbanna
United Kingdom
1382 Posts |
Posted - 21 Apr 2013 : 16:54:34
|
Momodou, I don't think the aim is to stop the services because they can't do that as long as internet is alive. However, they can start pressing econmic crime charges against people found to be in violation and that is serious.
Thanks |
I do not oppose unity but I oppose dumb union. |
|
|
|
toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 21 Apr 2013 : 17:04:39
|
Agreed,but although according to Sab people are aware of the situation
the official newspapers have not published the information which I thought would have done,maybe "clarification" is in progress 
quote:
Originally posted by Nyarikangbanna
Momodou, I don't think the aim is to stop the services because they can't do that as long as internet is alive. However, they can start pressing econmic crime charges against people found to be in violation and that is serious.
Thanks
|
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
|
Edited by - toubab1020 on 21 Apr 2013 17:06:14 |
|
|
|
Nyarikangbanna
United Kingdom
1382 Posts |
Posted - 21 Apr 2013 : 17:16:58
|
There is no Sunday Times in the Gambia, toubab.
Thanks |
I do not oppose unity but I oppose dumb union. |
|
|
|
toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 21 Apr 2013 : 21:16:16
|
OK, let's wait till Monday then 
And for those Gambians who Miss the UK and its problems,
here is a link about rich folks who live here, Russian of course not English we locals hav'nt got much money 
http://news.search.yahoo.com/search?p=sunday+times+newspaper&ei=UTF-8&fr=moz35&fr2=newsdd |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
|
Edited by - toubab1020 on 21 Apr 2013 21:21:07 |
|
|
|
Momodou
Denmark
11646 Posts |
Posted - 22 Apr 2013 : 10:14:22
|
Does it mean that there were companies and individuals offering VoIP using Skype commercially?
-------------
PURA: Internet dating services prohibited
The Daily Observer: Published on Friday, April 19, 2013
The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) has issued a press release prohibiting companies and/or individuals operating through Internet Cafes and offering Dating services and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services as a commercially available service to the public in The Gambia.
The release reads:
The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) wishes to inform the general public that it has come to its notice that there are companies and/or individuals operating through Internet Cafes and offering Dating services and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services as a commercially available service to the public in The Gambia. Therefore, all are hereby informed that such practices are not authorized.
Furthermore, PURA wishes to make it abundantly clear that the offering of “International and National Calling Services” within Internet Cafes using VoIP services (Viber, Skype, etc) is strictly prohibited. Anyone who is engaged in this activity is depriving the country of the much needed revenue from International and National calls, required for the development of The Gambia.
PURA would like to warn anybody involved in either of the above activities to immediately desist from doing so.
In a bid to protect our national interest, PURA is urging the general public to be vigilant with regards to the above, and to report any suspicious activities to PURA by calling 148 free on all networks, between 8.30am to 6.00pm (Mondays to Thursdays).
Source: Daily Observer |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
|
|
|
toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 22 Apr 2013 : 10:16:42
|
OK,as Nyarikangbanna suspected this has been published in the D.O.
( put on the WWW later ) so it's official,interestingly enough, the article is entitled PURA: Internet dating services prohibited,this is perhaps the "clarification" that I mentioned earlier,lets wait and see what happens in the future.
http://observer.gm/africa/gambia/article/pura-internet-dating-services-prohibited
PURA: Internet dating services prohibited
|
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
|
Edited by - toubab1020 on 22 Apr 2013 10:21:08 |
|
|
|
Momodou
Denmark
11646 Posts |
Posted - 22 Apr 2013 : 14:20:23
|
IS THE USE OF SKYPE BANNED?
Foroyaa Editorial: Published on Monday, 22 April 2013
Consumer Parliament Needed to Inform the Mass
Many people are using skype as a means of communicating with their loved ones abroad. They see it as part of the payment they are making for using internet service. Many of them do not consider their calls free. They consider it to be part of the benefits of subscribing for internet use. In fact this is what is popularizing internet use in the Gambia as the common people who cannot use email speak over skype with their loved ones in their own language. It is amazing how popular the internet is in the Gambia and how far reaching its use is becoming. Some young people spend their time chatting by posting messages. Those who are not literate chat by using skype. Many people have approached Foroyaa to find out whether Skype use is banned altogether in the Gambia or is restricted to the commercial use of the service. Foroyaa has a Press Release from PURA, the Regulatory authority, which is to be published on Tuesday. Probably people cannot understand the technical language in the Press Release which is already published by Daily Observer. Companies usually give different dates to newspapers to publish their Press Releases so that it could be read over days in different newspapers and media houses to have maximum effect. What Foroyaa will do is to interview the authorities at PURA to get clarification. What PURA has indicated in no uncertain terms is that companies or individuals operating through internet Cafes and offering dating services and voice over Internet Protocol services such as viber, and Skype, as commercially viable services to the public in the Gambia, are prohibited from doing so. This is the long and short of the Press Release. What needs to be clear is whether those who access those services as subscribers to the internet services on a non commercial basis are free to use skype as one of the benefits of subscribing to get internet services. Foroyaa will set the record straight.
Source: Foroyaa |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
|
|
|
toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 22 Apr 2013 : 17:02:11
|
Foroyaa makes a very valid point, often in Gambia people are baffled by technical and convoluted language that is used by newspapers and others where the wording can, and often does, have different interpretations.
Illiterate people must find skype a joy to be able to speak and see a picture of their families and friends on the internet.
"What needs to be clear is whether those who access those services as subscribers to the internet services on a non commercial basis are free to use skype as one of the benefits of subscribing to get internet services. Foroyaa will set the record straight."
|
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
|
Edited by - toubab1020 on 22 Apr 2013 17:03:49 |
|
|
|
Momodou
Denmark
11646 Posts |
Posted - 23 Apr 2013 : 12:32:00
|
Gov’t says Skype, Viber not banned
The Daily Observer: Published on Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Following a press release issued by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) prohibiting companies and/or individuals operating through Internet Cafes and offering Dating services and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services, The Government of The Gambia has shed more light on the issue.
The government has called on its citizens to continue to enjoy Skype to reach their loved ones at home and abroad. This was contained in a press release sent from the Ministry of Information and Communication Infrastructure.
The release reads:
The Government of The Gambia is calling on citizens of The Gambia to continue to enjoy Skype to reach their loved ones at home and abroad. Contrary to local press and cyber publications that the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) has banned the use of Skype and Viber facilities in The Gambia, the Ministry of Information and Communication Infrastructure has described the claim as a complete misconstruction of the press release communicated by PURA in the regulator’s bid to stop the massive loss of revenue to registered internet suppliers by the criminal unscrupulous individuals who use and Internet cafes that charge the unwitting public for international calls.
In the bid to protect consumers and the national interest, PURA have found it necessary to draw the attention of all operators of Internet cafes of the criminal act that deprives registered internet service providers of revenue vital to their operations and to the revenue of the national treasury.
Individuals can continue to use Skype or Viber on their personal devises in the enjoyment of the Gambia’s full integration into the ICT culture. The regulator and other concerned units of government are investigating these individuals and Internet cafe owners in order to put in place measures to protect our young users from entrapments of online dating services which leave our vulnerable citizens to pornographic sites, paedophilia, child-trafficking and sex tourism.
The Ministry urges all media whose publications have misunderstood this to do the right thing in service to their country and to their readership to re-read the PURA press release, publish retractions, and report correctly on the intervention by the national regulator to protect citizens and a fair business environment in The Gambia.
Author: Daily Observer |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
|
|
|
toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 23 Apr 2013 : 13:06:10
|
Thanks Momodou, a somewhat better "clarification" from the D.O. Editorial and timely intervention by the Ministry of Information and Communication Infrastructure.
One sentence still is a little ambiguous,"Individuals can continue to use Skype or Viber on their personal devises " in my mind no clarification has been made as to whether Skype etc can be used openly in internet cafe etc,which is the main location where the average Gambian would go to use Skype etc.
The reasons given for this new regulation are now clear :
"The regulator and other concerned units of government are investigating these individuals and Internet cafe owners in order to put in place measures to protect our young users from entrapments of online dating services which leave our vulnerable citizens to pornographic sites, paedophilia, child-trafficking and sex tourism." |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
|
Edited by - toubab1020 on 23 Apr 2013 13:20:28 |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
Topic Locked
