Somalia Telecommunications Road to Recovery

July 20, 2012 | Filed under: News in English,Warka Maanta | Posted by: QOL Admin

Somalia is located in the Horn of Africa, adjacent to the Arabian Peninsula; Somalia is geographically located in a very advantageous region, bordering both Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. Country’s land area is estimated to 637 660 km2. It shares borders with Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti.

For close to two decades Somalia has not had a central powerful government since the overthrow Siad Barre regime in 1991 and has had 18 regions from corner to corner The country has an estimated population of about 9 million in 1995, of which 75% in rural areas.

The Secretary General of the African Federation of Environmental Journalists (AFEJ) Mr. Daud Abdi Daud made a tremendous presentation for the current status of Somalia telecommunication on Wednesday July 18^th , 2012 when he was attending the East Africa Consultations on ITRS and Internet Governance Forum at Jacaranda hotel in Nairobi, Kenya from 17 – 19, 2012.

Somalia Pre-war Telecommunication

After the independence Somalia has not been develop the telecommunication industry due to the following reasons:

It was not a priority Issue.
It was dominated by a State owned monopoly in basic network and services.
The Ministry of Post and Telecom was the sole provider and self-regulator of telecom services.
As of 1993 private Telecom Companies have emerged (9 Companies).
Competition began with very limited infrastructure by most measures.
Different operators enter/out the market competing basic telecom services both local and International.
Each Operator offers local and international services to its own customer on its own network.
No Interconnection (Many Small Islands).

Telecommunication Privatization Benefits

Privatization in Somalia increases the scope of telephone coverage (See the Map).
Competitive environment expanded the services, efficiency, and lowers prices.
Competition brought technological advancement.
Telecommunication sector in Somalia opens up a whole new range of economic possibilities.

Statistical Figures

From 1960 -1980 Somalia had 6890
1980 – 1991 Somalia had 17,000
1991 – 1993 Somalia had Zero lines
From 1960 -1980 Somalia had 6890
1980 – 1991 Somalia had 17,000
1991 – 1993 Somalia had Zero lines
Internet Penetration:
5300 Subscribers
89000 users Approximately
Internet Coffee: 59 Centers

Mr. Daud met Kenya’s permanent secretary ministry of information and communications honorable Mr. Bitange Ndemo both discussed the regional communications away forward and internet governance related issues. Dr. Bitange he further introduced Mr. Daud few ladies among the ministry staff.

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