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Internet Prices Drop In Cameroon |
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Wednesday, 26 August 2009 Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}Internetprices in Cameroon have fallen more than 90 percent since the beginning of theyear. But some want them even lower. Cybercafes dot the streets of Yaounde. Across the country, they are still among thebest spots to get a cheap connection to the Worldwide Web. But because offalling prices, many people can afford to set up connections in their homes andoffices. The use of mobile phones to access the Internet has also shot up.
IncreasedCompetition Ringo, a newInternetservice provider, estimatesthat prices have dropped about 90 percent since the start of the year. The mobiletelephone giant Orange Cameroun has introduced a monthly Internet flat rate ofabout $21, the lowest in the country. Others charge about $50 monthly, downfrom hundreds of dollars a few years ago. Subscription costs have also fallenby over 50%. The drop in prices is mainly the result of more competitorsoffering Internet service. Two years ago, fourproviders dominated the market, serving mostly corporate customers. Now 25offer wireless, including the major mobile telephone companies. New and cheapertechnology from China is also helping to push down prices. Cameroon's state-runprovider CAMTEL and private provider Ringo both use modemsand other technologies made in China. Journalist ErnestKanjo relies heavily on the Internet to do his work. Recently he launched anon-line magazine to promote Cameroon's young but vibrant film industry. Hewelcomes the new Internet rates. "To do the kind ofwork I do, you have to spend long hours online," he says. "That means eitherhaving the Internet at home or at the office. Since prices started going down,I have been able to set up a connection at home that permits me to work moreconveniently. You cannot do a good job from the cyber café because of the noiseand other distractions." Notlow enough But for many others, the cost of accessing the Internetis still too high. Despite the drop in prices, Cameroon has some of the highestrates, compared to other countries with similar economic profiles, likeSenegal.However, many still prefer cyber cafes becausethey're cheaper, even if it's less convenient to surf in a public place.Gloria Tata is an unemployed nurse who says she would use the internet more often if prices were lower."It is still costly for some of us. TheInternet is still more expensive than, say, electricity and water, which arethemselves a burden to us," Tata says. "Personally, Iwould like to make more use of the Internet, but when you have to be carefulabout your expenses, it is difficult. For now I limit myself to sending and receivingmail. But it could be a valuable tool for research."Tata is not alone. The high price is not the onlyproblem stopping people from taking full advantage of the Internet in Cameroon.Many, includingjournalist Kanjo, complain about the poor quality delivered by most providers."Even the mostreliable service providers suffer frequent drops in connectivity speeds andsometimes total blackouts," says Kanjo. "It takes ages to download or upload large images or video. These are thingsthat need to be looked into."The Internet was introduced in Cameroon in themid-1990s. By 2007, the International Telecommunications Union estimated thatonly 370,000 people, about two percent of Cameroon's population, used the Internet. There were only 200 broadbandsubscribers. Today, that number is rising. Early this year,Internet service provider Ringo said it had registered 5,000 subscribers after only six months ofoperation. Thecompany says its goal is to build a world class network within a few years.But many, like Tata, believe that for that goal to bereached, price will have to go down even lower. .E2AfeedbackTitlebg{ background-color:##f5f5f5; width:100%; padding-left:8px; padding-top:2px; padding-bottom:2px; border-bottom: 1px ##cccccc dotted; border-top: 1px ##cccccc dotted;}.E2AfeedbackContent{ background-color:##ffffff; width:100%; margin:0; padding:8px; border-bottom: 1px ##cccccc dotted;}.E2AfeedbackTitlefg { font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; color: ##666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align:left;}.E2AfeedbackBody { font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: ##666666; text-align:left;} Feedback We'd like to hear what you have to say. Let us know what you think of this report and other news and features on our website. Email your views about what is happening in Africa to: africa@voanews.com. Please include your name and phone number if you would like us to include your comments on our programs. Or, telephone us and leave a message. In the US, call: (202) 205-9942. After you hear the VOA greeting, press the number "30" and leave your opinion. We may use it on our daily broadcasts.
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Wednesday, 26 August 2009
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