Cameroon’s mobile telephony companies pledge to invest 156 billion to boost network quality

By Tata Mbunwe

The Cameroon’s four main mobile telephony operators have pledged to upgrade the quality of their services this year, and to increase investment in the sector, which has been chastised for providing low quality services.

In a release on Monday, February 20, the Association of Mobile Telephony Operators in Cameroon constituting of CAMTEL, MTN, Orange and Viettel companies said they have agreed to: invest an additional 156 billion francs in 2023; improve management of fibre optic cables and increase the sharing of infrastructure in order to provide better network services to Cameroonians.

“Noting concerns and the various engagements with industry stakeholders including our consumers, in the very important subject of quality of service, the association wishes to renew to the national community the commitment of its members to offer Cameroonians quality electronic communications services, in accordance with the obligations set out in the specifications attached to their concession agreements,” they stated.

The pledge comes after the association members met with the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications and the Telecommunications Regulatory Board on December 13, 2022.

At the meeting, they agreed to improve the quality of services of electronic communications.

They said this will only be possible with the support of the administration.

Presently, about 95 percent of Cameroonian territory is covered with mobile telephone services, which provide 2G, 3G and 4G Internet services.

However, the telephony companies have usually been criticised for provided low standard services, with an unstable Internet connection.

The companies acknowledged that there is need for them to improve on the services, despite the progress recorded so far, in order to accompany Cameroon it its digitalisation drive.

In his speech to the youths on this year’s Youth Day eve, President Paul Biya urged them to embrace the digital economy to create self employment.

This digital economy can only be possible with a stable and affordable Internet connection, which is also accessible to the population.

Mimi Mefo Info