Rather than addressing the root cause of persistent poor internet connectivity, two major mobile operators in Cameroon, Orange Cameroon and Cameroon Telecommunications (Camtel), have engaged in a blame game.
On Monday, February 17, Camtel General Manager Judith Yah Sunday expressed strong disapproval of accusations from Orange Cameroon. This came after Orange Cameroon attributed frequent internet disruptions experienced by its users to the cutting of optic fiber supplied by Camtel.
Recently, Orange users have reported deteriorating internet services in key cities, including Buéa, Zoétele, Sangmélima, Guidiguis, Yagoua, Kaélé, Bélabo, and Messamendongo.
Camtel, however, refuted these claims in a press release, stating that it “takes offence at allegations that it is responsible for the decline in the quality of electronic communications on the Orange Cameroon network.”
Judith Yah Sunday states that Camtel feels “outraged” by Orange Cameroon’s attempts to discredit the reliability of its transport network. She clarified that “Orange Cameroun’s network relies on dark fibre, an asset that CAMTEL cannot see.” Managed capacity solutions offer automatic redundancy for faults or disruptions, ensuring continuous service availability. However, Orange Cameroun deliberately refuses to adopt these solutions and insists on relying solely on dark fibre. Therefore, CAMTEL will not take responsibility for any network deterioration resulting from the technical choices made by Orange Cameroon.
Calls for Orange Cameroon to Take Responsibility
The Camtel General Manager emphasized that all mobile operators in Cameroon use the same transport network, but each is responsible for its redundancy strategy.
“Regarding the Orange site at Zoétele, which experienced disruptions on Friday, February 14, 2025, it should be noted that the issue stemmed from the last-mile connection. Given that neither CAMTEL nor MTN Cameroon were affected, operators must ensure redundancy on their last-mile connections, which they are solely responsible for,” she stated.
She further criticized Orange Cameroon’s repeated efforts to shift blame onto Camtel while tarnishing its reputation.
“CAMTEL reassures all its customers of its commitment to providing high-quality service and continues to work tirelessly toward this goal,” she added.
A Recurring Blame Game
This is not the first time Orange Cameroon has blamed Camtel for poor internet quality. Whenever a disruption occurs, Orange Cameroon informs its users that the issue relates to the optic fibre provided by Camtel.
Regulatory restrictions prevent foreign operators like Orange Cameroon and MTN Cameroon from owning optic fibre infrastructure for security reasons. Camtel, a state-owned entity, controls the optic fibre and supplies it to other telecom operators.
Cameroon Bans Starlink Amid Internet Woes
Cameroon’s internet infrastructure relies on an undersea cable from Brazil, which has faced numerous technical challenges. However, authorities have banned Starlink, a satellite-based internet service that many African countries adopt to enhance business operations and boost digital economies.
