GSM operator Comium has expressed disappointment in PURA’s decision to suspend the network.
On Tuesday, information minister Ebrima Sillah suspended the GSM operator for one month after it failed to pay off a D65M debt in licenses and spectrum fees.
The GSM operator yesterday sent home at least 100 staff as it continues to battle the regulator.
However on Wednesday, Comium has broken its long silence since the suspension notice earlier last month.
It said: “Comium who recently acquired a new international investor with whom it signed a management agreement in the objective of resolving all the current financial and network issues including bringing 4G and 5G to Gambia at a later stage, was shocked by PURA’s decision to suspend the network on October 5, 2021.
“This surprising news came after thorough positive meetings that were held between Comium new management and PURA, in which Comium and its new international investor showed a sign of goodwill by paying the amount of 14,000,000 Dalasi of its gross dues, and also expressed its determination to pay out the remaining amount, without even relating this payment to its due receivable of 21,000,000 Dalasi from Gamtel.
“Despite the dues from Gamtel, Comium new management and its international investor are still committing to proceed immediately in settling the remaining, and they shall provide within one month period, a full-year of network upgrade plan; provided that PURA stops immediately the network suspension and will not tie them to any conditions that would jeopardize the kickoff of the new era of telecommunication in the company and the country.
“Noting that the new move of Comium will not only improve the economic situation in Gambia with the new investment but will also create additional job openings increasing the existing Comium workforce by at least 30%, while safeguarding the main source of living of the current 125 employed families in the company.”
