Gambia Mobile Phone Users Survey Results
Fatim Badjie, MSc ICTs for Development programme (2009/10), Centre for Development Informatics, University of Manchester, UK
This survey was conducted in The Gambia in June-July 2010. Respondents were chosen from different parts of The Gambia, as summarised
in the table just below, with numbers selected being partly proportional to the estimated population of each location. Respondents were
selected only if they were already mobile phone users, so this is not a general population survey (though with the ITU estimating 84 mobile
subscripitions per 100 inhabitants in 2009, mobile phone users are likely to form the significant bulk of the population). The results provided
below cover the majority, but not all of the questions asked. The first set of tables below presents the overal results; a second set then
presents some of those results broken down by sex (i.e. male/female).
Survey Sampling Table:
Location (local government area) Mobile Users
Banjul (based around capital) 50
Kanifing (based around town close to Banjul) 75
Brikama (based around a large town and conurbation close to Banjul) 100
Mansakonko (based around a small town mid-way up-country) 50
Kerewan (based around a small town, c.60km E of Banjul) 50
Bansang (based around a small town, three-quarters of the way up-country) 50
Basse (based around a town at the Eastern end of country) 25
Total 400
The results are arranged into six topic areas: A. Ownership and Costs; B. Mobile Usage; C. Availability and Issues; D. Impact and Benefits; E.
Operator and Services; F. Institutional Context. For the results by sex, only the first four topic areas are covered. Each table includes the
survey question number as well as the question. Just over 10 respondents did not reply fully so total count is less than 400.
1
Overall Survey Results
A. Ownership and Costs
7. Do you own your mobile?
Yes No Total
Total Count 321 65 386
% 83.2% 16.8% 100.0%
16. Is your mobile cheaper than your previous means of communication?
Yes No Total
Total Count 265 122 387
% 68.5% 31.5% 100.0%
17. Do you find it cheap to use this service?
Yes No Total
Total Count 276 110 386
% 71.5% 28.5% 100.0%
2
40. Is your mobile service priced reasonably?
Yes No Total
Total Count 275 112 387
% 71.1% 28.9% 100.0%
3
B. Mobile Usage
4. How were you communicating before you were introduced to mobiles?
Fixed line Messenger Letter Telecentre Total
Total Count 306 10 10 59 385
% 79.5% 2.6% 2.6% 15.3% 100.0%
5. What facilities do you enjoy most from your mobile?
Conference
GPRS Video calls calls Text messaging Other Total
Total Count 56 21 31 145 133 386
% 14.5% 5.4% 8.0% 37.6% 34.5% 100.0%
GPRS means Internet usage via mobile
28. What do you use your mobile for most?
I use it to
browse
Free weekend through the
Calls SMS GPRS calls internet Other Other Total
Total Count 312 45 5 2 11 5 2 382
% 81.7% 11.8% 1.3% .5% 2.9% 1.3% .5% 100.0%
4
8. Do you share your mobile with other people?
Yes No Total
Total Count 183 204 387
% 47.3% 52.7% 100.0%
9. If Yes, how many people did you share your mobile with?
One person Two people Three people Four people Five people & above The whole household Other Total
Total Count 47 17 14 6 17 70 18 189
% 24.9% 9.0% 7.4% 3.2% 9.0% 37.0% 9.5% 100.0%
% ex 27.5% 10.0% 8.2% 3.5% 10.0% 40.9% - 100.0%
Other
For average calculation, "five people and above" counted as six; "The whole household" counted as typical African average of four adult members.
24. How many times do you use your mobile a day?
Once a Twice a Three times Five times a 10 times a 50 times
day day a day day day and above Other
Total Count 5 15 51 58 105 152 1 387
% 1.3% 3.9% 13.2% 15.0% 27.1% 39.3% .3% 100.0%
% ex Other 1.3% 3.9% 13.2% 15.0% 27.2% 39.4%
For average calculation, "50 times and above" counted as 60
5
C. Availability and Issues
6. Does your mobile provide effective communication services?
All the time Most of the time Some of the time Rarely Total
Total Count 115 188 68 16 387
% 29.7% 48.6% 17.6% 4.1% 100.0%
37. Are you connected with a signal at all times?
Yes No Total
Total Count 235 150 385
% 61.0% 39.0% 100.0%
44. Is your mobile service available in inconvenient locations?
Yes No Total
Total Count 214 154 368
% 58.2% 41.8% 100.0%
18. Is it difficult to use your mobile?
Yes No Total
Total Count 44 343 387
% 11.4% 88.6% 100.0%
6
19. If Yes, what are the difficulties?
They have to
Always network Buying credit/cost reduce the cost
problems of credit calls per minute Other Total
Total Count 25 13 6 1 45
% 55.6% 28.9% 13.3% 2.2% 100.0%
22. Has using your mobile become a burden?
Yes No Total
Total Count 125 261 386
% 32.4% 67.6% 100.0%
23. If yes, in what way?
Socially Financially Personally Other Total
Total Count 60 80 56 2 198
% 30.3% 40.4% 28.3% 1.0% 100.0%
7
30. Do you think something should be done to make this mobile service even better for you to use?
Yes No Total
Total Count 213 172 385
% 55.3% 44.7% 100.0%
31. If Yes, what should be done?
Always 100
Try and make percent Credit should
GPRS cheaper network be reduced Other Other Other Total
Total Count 17 96 78 6 1 14 212
% 8.0% 45.3% 36.8% 2.8% .5% 6.6% 100.0%
8
D. Impact and Benefits
12. Are you benefiting from using a mobile?
Yes No Total
Total Count 303 84 387
% 78.3% 21.7% 100.0%
13. If yes, can you specify the particular services from which you are benefiting?
I call Clear
QCELL is the my I benefit network
cheapest network family The from Because it is and they
and it easy to and Call free Comium - cheaper/cheapest/Because provide aid
connect with they family Free night- their free it is the cheapest and to the
families and call and weekend Free time megabytes provides effective general Conference
friends too friends calls Bonanza calls and GPRS communication public call Other Other Total
Total Count 6 77 14 25 66 7 18 19 4 38 8 14 296
% 2.0% 26.0% 4.7% 8.4% 22.3% 2.4% 6.1% 6.4% 1.4% 12.8% 2.7% 4.7% 100.0%
"Free Bonanza" is special low-cost SMS/call tariff offered by Comium
20. Does your mobile help get you any money or resources?
Yes No Total
Total Count 120 265 385
% 31.2% 68.8% 100.0%
9
21 . If Yes, how?
I use to get calls
from customers
to go and pick I got money calls
money from phone 3 4 5 Total
Total Count 14 33 49 4 8 108
% 13.0% 30.6% 45.4% 3.7% 7.4% 100.0%
25. Do you depend on your mobile?
Yes No Total
Total Count 223 162 385
% 57.9% 42.1% 100.0%
26. Can you see yourself living without your mobile?
Yes No Total
Total Count 87 300 387
% 22.5% 77.5% 100.0%
10
E. Operator and Services
10. Which operator are you using? (Multiple response possible)
Gamcel Comium Africell Qcell Total
Total Count 85 104 146 52 387
% 22.0% 26.9% 37.7% 13.4% 100.0%
11. If you are using more than one operator, which one do you use most?
Gamcel Comium Africell Qcell Total
Total Count 79 97 125 45 346
% 22.8% 28.0% 36.1% 13.0% 100.0%
29. What do you enjoy most about your operator's service?
Sending
and Extra
receiving D95
Yaay Qcell emails to Late bonus
Borom weekend Good and from Text All the The free night scratch Cash
card calls tariff friends message services Reliability calls calls cards chamber Total
Total Count 18 14 7 34 79 7 15 124 12 63 1 374
% 4.8% 3.7% 1.9% 9.1% 21.1% 1.9% 4.0% 33.2% 3.2% 16.8% .3% 100.0%
11
32. Does your mobile service provider offer satisfactory service?
Yes No Total
Total Count 322 62 384
% 83.9% 16.1% 100.0%
39. Which of the following categories best describes your experience of using your mobile service?
Neither
Very Somewhat pleasant nor Somewhat Very
pleasant pleasant unpleasant unpleasant unpleasant Total
Total Count 191 153 38 4 1 387
% 49.4% 39.5% 9.8% 1.0% .3% 100.0%
41. Does your operator provide customer services?
Yes No Total
Total Count 369 16 385
% 95.8% 4.2% 100.0%
42. Is your mobile service widely advertised?
Yes No Total
Total Count 364 5 369
% 98.6% 1.4% 100.0%
12
43 . Does your operator have beneficial promotional activities?
Yes No Total
Total Count 347 21 368
% 94.3% 5.7% 100.0%
45. Does your mobile service offer the services or applications you need?
Yes No Total
Total Count 334 33 367
% 91.0% 9.0% 100.0%
46. If No, what other needs do you wish to have access to?
We need more
facilities Afriell - 3G Video calls Other Total
Total Count 19 5 4 2 30
% 63.3% 16.7% 13.3% 6.7% 100.0%
13
F. Institutional Context
33. Do you know about Gambia's national ICT Bill/ Act?
Yes No Other Total
Total Count 50 335 1 386
% 13.0% 86.8% .3% 100.0%
34. Do you know about Gambia's Public Utilities Regulatory Authority Act?
Yes No Total
Total Count 133 253 386
% 34.5% 65.5% 100.0%
35. Are you aware of the institutions in charge of facilitating provision of mobile services?
Yes No Total
Total Count 117 269 386
% 30.3% 69.7% 100.0%
14
36. If Yes, can you list them?
PURA – Public
Utilities
Regulatory
Agency Africell Comium Gamtel Qcell Other Other Total
Total Count 75 7 5 11 2 3 1 104
% 72.1% 6.7% 4.8% 10.6% 1.9% 2.9% 1.0% 100.0%
15
Survey Results By Sex
A. Ownership and Costs
7. Do you own your mobile?
Yes No Total
Male Count 169 35 204
% 82.8% 17.2% 100.0%
Female Count 152 30 182
% 83.5% 16.5% 100.0%
Total Count 321 65 386
% 83.2% 16.8% 100.0%
16. Is your mobile cheaper than your previous means of communication?
Yes No Total
Male Count 142 62 204
% 69.6% 30.4% 100.0%
Female Count 123 60 183
% 67.2% 32.8% 100.0%
Total Count 265 122 387
% 68.5% 31.5% 100.0%
16
17. Do you find it cheap to use this service?
Yes No Total
Male Count 141 63 204
% 69.1% 30.9% 100.0%
Female Count 135 47 182
% 74.2% 25.8% 100.0%
Total Count 276 110 386
% 71.5% 28.5% 100.0%
17
B. Mobile Usage
4. How were you communicating before you were introduced to mobiles?
Fixed line Messenger Letter Telecentre Total
Male Count 155 5 7 36 203
% 76.4% 2.5% 3.4% 17.7% 100.0%
Female Count 151 5 3 23 182
% 83.0% 2.7% 1.6% 12.6% 100.0%
Total Count 306 10 10 59 385
% 79.5% 2.6% 2.6% 15.3% 100.0%
5. What facilities do you enjoy most from your mobile?
GPRS Video calls Conference calls Text messaging Other Total
Male Count 35 17 16 67 68 203
% 17.2% 8.4% 7.9% 33.0% 33.5% 100.0%
Female Count 21 4 15 78 65 183
% 11.5% 2.2% 8.2% 42.6% 35.5% 100.0%
Total Count 56 21 31 145 133 386
% 14.5% 5.4% 8.0% 37.6% 34.5% 100.0%
18
28. What do you use your mobile for most?
I use it to browse
Free weekend through the
Calls SMS GPRS calls internet Other Other Total
Male Count 171 17 2 0 8 4 1 203
% 84.2% 8.4% 1.0% .0% 3.9% 2.0% .5% 100.0%
Female Count 141 28 3 2 3 1 1 179
% 78.8% 15.6% 1.7% 1.1% 1.7% .6% .6% 100.0%
Total Count 312 45 5 2 11 5 2 382
% 81.7% 11.8% 1.3% .5% 2.9% 1.3% .5% 100.0%
8. Do you share your mobile with other people?
Yes No Total
Male Count 96 108 204
% 47.1% 52.9% 100.0%
Female Count 87 96 183
% 47.5% 52.5% 100.0%
Total Count 183 204 387
% 47.3% 52.7% 100.0%
19
9. If Yes, how many people did you share your mobile with?
Five people & The whole
One person Two people Three people Four people above household Other Total
Male Count 22 6 9 3 8 38 13 99
% 22.2% 6.1% 9.1% 3.0% 8.1% 38.4% 13.1% 100.0%
Female Count 25 11 5 3 9 32 5 90
% 27.8% 12.2% 5.6% 3.3% 10.0% 35.6% 5.6% 100.0%
Total Count 47 17 14 6 17 70 18 189
% 24.9% 9.0% 7.4% 3.2% 9.0% 37.0% 9.5% 100.0%
24. How many times do you use your mobile a day?
Three times a 50 times and
Once a day Twice a day day Five times a day 10 times a day above Other Total
Male Count 4 9 26 25 63 76 1 204
% 2.0% 4.4% 12.7% 12.3% 30.9% 37.3% .5% 100.0%
Female Count 1 6 25 33 42 76 0 183
% .5% 3.3% 13.7% 18.0% 23.0% 41.5% .0% 100.0%
Total Count 5 15 51 58 105 152 1 387
% 1.3% 3.9% 13.2% 15.0% 27.1% 39.3% .3% 100.0%
20
C. Availability and Issues
18. Is it difficult to use your mobile?
Yes No Total
Male Count 24 180 204
% 11.8% 88.2% 100.0%
Female Count 20 163 183
% 10.9% 89.1% 100.0%
Total Count 44 343 387
% 11.4% 88.6% 100.0%
19. If Yes, what are the difficulties?
Always network Buying credit/cost of They have to reduce the
problems credit cost calls per minute Other Total
Male Count 12 7 6 0 25
% 48.0% 28.0% 24.0% .0% 100.0%
Female Count 13 6 0 1 20
% 65.0% 30.0% .0% 5.0% 100.0%
Total Count 25 13 6 1 45
% 55.6% 28.9% 13.3% 2.2% 100.0%
21
22. Has using your mobile become a burden?
Yes No Total
Male Count 64 139 203
% 31.5% 68.5% 100.0%
Female Count 61 122 183
% 33.3% 66.7% 100.0%
Total Count 125 261 386
% 32.4% 67.6% 100.0%
23. If yes, in what way?
Socially Financially Personally Other Total
Male Count 33 40 27 1 101
% 32.7% 39.6% 26.7% 1.0% 100.0%
Female Count 27 40 29 1 97
% 27.8% 41.2% 29.9% 1.0% 100.0%
Total Count 60 80 56 2 198
% 30.3% 40.4% 28.3% 1.0% 100.0%
22
D. Impact and Benefits
20. Does your mobile help get you any money or resources?
Yes No Total
Male Count 77 126 203
% 37.9% 62.1% 100.0%
Female Count 43 139 182
% 23.6% 76.4% 100.0%
Total Count 120 265 385
% 31.2% 68.8% 100.0%
21 . If Yes, how?
I use to get calls from
customers to go and I got money calls from
pick money phone 3 4 5 Total
Male Count 10 17 34 3 6 70
% 14.3% 24.3% 48.6% 4.3% 8.6% 100.0%
Female Count 4 16 15 1 2 38
% 10.5% 42.1% 39.5% 2.6% 5.3% 100.0%
Total Count 14 33 49 4 8 108
% 13.0% 30.6% 45.4% 3.7% 7.4% 100.0%
23
25. Do you depend on your mobile?
Yes No Total
Male Count 118 85 203
% 58.1% 41.9% 100.0%
Female Count 105 77 182
% 57.7% 42.3% 100.0%
Total Count 223 162 385
% 57.9% 42.1% 100.0%
26. Can you see yourself living without your mobile?
Yes No Total
Male Count 48 156 204
% 23.5% 76.5% 100.0%
Female Count 39 144 183
% 21.3% 78.7% 100.0%
Total Count 87 300 387
% 22.5% 77.5% 100.0%
24