In 1985, the Senegalese
telecommunications sector was completely reformed. The post and telecommunication
activities of the Senegalese Office des Postes et Télécommunications were separated, and
national and international telecommunications services were merged. An entirely
state-owned corporation was set up: Société Nationale des Télécommunications
(SONATEL). The main missions od SONATEL were to:
- develop the domestic network
(1985-1992); and
- upgrade the international telephone
network and increase network capacity in Dakar (1992-1995).
In 1996, a legislation was adopted
constituting the basic policy governing the telecommunications sector. It provides for
the:
- opening up of the SONATEL's capital
to private foreign and national partners and to Sonatel's staff; and
- liberalisation of some segments of
the telecommunications market.
Subsequent to the above
legislation, the Government of Senegal (GOS) decided to arrange for a partial
privatisation in 1997. Under this privatisation process, GOS signed an accord for
the sale of 33.33 percent of SONATEL, the telecommunications parastatal, to France
Cables Radio, a subsidiary of France Telecom, for some US$ 122 million.
This privatisation has not
fundamentally altered the institutional framework of the telecommunications sector in
Senegal since SONATEL still enjoys a monopoly over all telecommunications services until
December 31, 2006 (at the latest). The government of Senegal will consider the
possibility of opening up the sector to other operators after 2003. Senegal has made
commitments under World Trade Organisation's basic telecommunications agreement, to
introduce by 31 December 1997 a regulatory structure promoting fair and healthy
competition between operators. Up to now, regulatory matters are handled by the Direction
des Etudes et de la Réglementation des Postes et des Télécommunications which
falls under the Ministère de la Communication.
For cellular services, SONATEL
cellular's service retains a monopoly on international calls until 2006, however the
service is already open to a second operator. Following a recent international tender, a
second cellular licence was awarded to Sentel SA to operate the second cellular network
using GSM technology in competition with Alizé owned by SONATEL. Millicom International
from Luxembourg and Senegalese private investors own Sentel SA. Launched in April 1999,
Sentel SA had an estimated subscriber base of 15,000 by December 1999.
Senegalese education sector is faced with many
challenges such as insufficient infrastructures. It is important to open new avenues by
experimenting convergent technologies uniting informatics, audiovisual and
telecommunications through the Internet. This project will explore, through case studies,
education and multi-purpose training structures managed by beneficiary local communities
in two areas of the country. Ways of using information and communication technologies for
distance learning as applied to basic education and their impact will have to be evaluated
from the teaching, sociocultural and economic perspective. The objective will be attained
through a teaching material production centre and their location on a WEB site linked with
two local learning centres located in rural and peri-urban areas. Source: IDRC.
Acacia: Senegal National Strategy [Year One
Report on Acacia Activities]
A foresight study commissioned by the Government
(Senegal 2015) recognised that the new ICTs would break down geographic borders, instill a
global network culture and usher in the third technological revolution. The Senegalese
study identified a number of possible responses:
- adaptation of the education system
- expansion of social communication
- reinforcement of self reliance and solidarity
- management of the consequences of increased
urbanisation
- revitalisation of rural areas.
This provided the context for Acacia in Senegal.
The program was initiated at the end of 1996 through discussions with a representative
sample of organisations and the preparation of a draft strategy.
The following principles guided its development:
- access to ICTs by all sectors of society,
particularly marginalised groups
- a participative approach to the identification,
implementation, monitoring and evaluation of projects
- an integrated framework for actions bearing on
policy, infrastructure, tools and applications
- a diversity of technical solutions to reflect
differences in needs and populations
- participation of women and youth in all community
projects.
