(Business in Cameroon) – Camtel has addressed concerns about its transport network’s quality after recent disruptions in internet and mobile phone services. The company, which sees itself as the “guardian of the country’s digital sovereignty,” assured the public that it has implemented measures to ensure continuous communication, even when network issues arise. Camtel also highlighted its ISO 9001/2015 certification for its transport services, underscoring its commitment to maintaining high customer satisfaction.
This response follows the National Telecommunications Regulatory Agency’s (ART) announcement of an “operational audit” of the national fiber optic network managed by Camtel. On September 11, 2024, ART’s Director General, Philémon Zo’o Zame, revealed that preliminary audit results indicate the network is deteriorating and that current maintenance practices need to be reviewed. The government ordered the audit due to a “continuous decline in the quality of mobile electronic communications services” from Camtel, MTN Cameroon, and Orange Cameroon.
Philémon Zo’o Zame explained that the disruptions are due to external issues, including insufficient electrical supply for operator infrastructure, fuel shortages for technical sites, especially in major cities, and frequent fiber optic cable breaks. On September 17, 2024, he held a meeting with MTN and Orange leaders to discuss the urgent need to improve service quality. The meeting resulted in decisions for a thorough review of operator networks and an assessment of investments made to enhance service quality.
In an exclusive interview with Business in Cameroon, Mitwa Ng’ambi, CEO of MTN Cameroon, revealed that the disruptions are mainly caused by power instability and fiber optic outages provided by Camtel, which holds the monopoly on this crucial infrastructure. She added that MTN’s reliance on Camtel for fiber optic services complicates the situation. However, Camtel insists that its responsibility is “proportional” and cites vandalism and public works incidents as exacerbating the problems.
Camtel claims to have implemented measures to ensure connectivity redundancy, thus guaranteeing the continuous availability of its services. The company blames other operators for congestion issues due to a high number of subscribers and argues that these operators unfairly blame Camtel’s backbone quality. Currently, Camtel’s network spans 15,812 km, with plans to add 3,500 km of fiber optic starting in 2024, primarily in rural areas. This expansion aims to improve network coverage and meet the growing demand for high-speed connectivity. It will also strengthen Camtel’s position in the national telecom market, where it competes with MTN and Orange.
