CAMTEL Blames Infrastructure Sabotage for Internet Disruptions

The General Manager of Cameroon Telecommunications (CAMTEL), Judith Yah Sunday, explained that the recent interruptions in telecom services in Cameroon were largely due to acts of vandalism, particularly targeting the company’s optical fibre infrastructure.

The incidents of Internet breakage in telecom services have severely impacted user experience across all network sectors in the country for months now.

Major network companies such as MTN and Orange have previously sent messages to users, acknowledging network and Internet disruptions.

CAMTEL, which is Cameroon’s public telephone operator and supplier of Internet services in the country, has said the company’s fiber optic infrastructure have been vandalized.

During a closed-door meeting with Minister Minette Libom Li Likeng of Posts and Telecommunications, held at CAMTEL’s headquarters, Yah Sunday referred to these acts as sabotage and stressed their detrimental effect on the company’s operations.

The meeting marked the conclusion of the minister’s working visit to telecom operators in the country, a tour that began in Douala on October 11, 2024.

In her opening remarks, Yah Sunday emphasised the significance of the visit, noting that it came at a crucial time for both CAMTEL and the telecommunications sector in general.

Committed to Quality?

She reiterated the company’s commitment to improving service quality, acknowledging that they have faced serious challenges in recent months, including network deterioration, which has greatly affected subscribers.

She attributed the disruptions not only to vandalism but also to other external factors, such as power supply challenges and damages caused by uncoordinated public works.

Yah Sunday reassured the Minister that CAMTEL had taken immediate measures to address these issues and was working with the relevant authorities to protect its infrastructure and bring those responsible for sabotage to justice.

Yah Sunday highlighted some key initiatives, including the recent handover of the fibre optic cable from ENEO, as well as collaborations with CAMWATER and CAMRAIL, which aim to improve connectivity throughout the country by leveraging shared national infrastructures.

Addressing the media, Minister Libom Li Likeng acknowledged the recurrent problems with network interruptions, slow Internet speeds, and call drops.

She underscored the Ministry’s commitment to improving the situation and mentioned actions taken since September 2024 to address these issues, such as demanding reports from telecom operators and regulators on their efforts to enhance service quality.