Gambia Sets Seven-Day Deadline for Illegal Internet Service Providers

Gambia’s telecommunications regulator has issued a seven-day deadline for illegal internet service providers to comply with existing regulations or face enforcement action.

The directive, released on Tuesday, May 12 by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA), applies to anyone offering Wi-Fi hotspots, reselling internet services, or providing public access without proper authorization. It follows a registration window that ran from January 1 to March 3, 2026. While some operators came forward during that period, PURA says many continue to operate outside the legal framework.

“Although some operators have complied, a significant number are still operating without authorization, and in some cases without clear disclosure of how their services are structured,” the regulator noted.

Enforcement and Sector Impact

Once the deadline passes, authorities plan to move in with enforcement measures coordinated across multiple agencies. These could include on-site inspections, checks on licensing status, shutdown orders, disconnection of services, and the removal or seizure of unauthorized equipment. Legal action and penalties may also follow.

PURA says the crackdown is necessary to maintain order in the sector. Unregulated operators can distort competition, undermine licensed providers, and affect service quality, while also posing risks to network security and reliability.

The latest available data shows that Gambia had four licensed mobile operators, four internet service providers, and one fixed-line operator as of 2020. More recent figures indicate that mobile internet usage continues to grow, with around 1.28 million users recorded by the end of 2025—equivalent to an internet penetration rate of 45.9%.