Cameroon - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband - Statistics and Analyses

Cameroon - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband - Statistics and Analyses

Cameroon delays moving on with 5G

Cameroon’s mobile market dominates the country’s telecom sector, accounting for the vast majority of voice and data connections. However, a combination of operator disputes, mismanagement, and laxity from the regulator has meant the market has not reached its potential.

Camtel has long held a licence to offer mobile services, yet it has failed to do so thus far. A launch of services scheduled for the beginning of 2021, under the Blue banner, has been put on hold and is not anticipated until some time in 2022. Nevertheless, a limited fixed-wireless broadband service, under the Blue Home banner, was launched in September 2021.

The third MNO Viettel Cameroon had suffered from its own internal difficulties revolving around a longstanding dispute between the two shareholders Viettel and Bestcam. Noting that the quality of services had fallen during the previous few years, and anxious to safeguard its XAF210 billion investment in the country, Viettel in November 2021 resumed talks with Bestcam.

For its part, the regulator has failed to progress with issuing a 5G trial licence to MTN Cameroon, despite appeals for a licence having been made since 2019.