Telecommunications in Cameroon: ART Allocates 73.5 Billion FCFA for 2025 📡

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With an ambitious budget of 73.5 billion FCFA, the Telecommunications Regulatory Board (ART) of Cameroon plans to modernize its monitoring tools. Additionally, the agency aims to strengthen the supervision of operators and ensure better quality telecom services across Cameroon.

A major decision for the telecom sector 💼

During its sessions held in Bafoussam in early December 2024, ART unveiled its budget for 2025. This decision was adopted during the 55th ordinary session and the 62nd extraordinary session of the board of directors. The 73.5 billion FCFA budget reflects a clear ambition: to improve the quality of telecommunications by enhancing monitoring capabilities.

A significant portion of this budget will go towards acquiring advanced technical equipment. These tools will monitor sector stakeholders and ensure compliance with existing standards. This initiative addresses the needs of a constantly evolving sector and better protects consumer rights.

Modern tools for better technical monitoring 🎯

To ensure the reliability of telecom services, ART is banking on efficient monitoring tools. According to the official statement, part of the funds will be allocated to acquiring new technical audit equipment.

In practice, these tools will intensify field monitoring operations. They will also verify the investments made by telecommunications operators, who committed to collectively investing 156 billion FCFA since 2023 to improve network coverage and service quality.

With these new tools, ART will be able to monitor infrastructure developments. Moreover, it will ensure that operators meet their commitments.

Strengthened monitoring of operator commitments 🔍

The 2025 budget is accompanied by an action plan aimed at strengthening the monitoring of telecom operators’ investments. They are thus required to guarantee extended network coverage and continuous service improvement.

Professor Zoo Zame Philémon, Director General of ART, emphasized the importance of technical equipment in this approach:

“These tools are essential to verify that operators achieve their objectives, particularly in terms of coverage and service quality.”

Field inspections will be increased to check the compliance of installations and assess their impact on network performance. This will also allow for the rapid detection of any shortcomings and efficient corrective measures.

Priority to consumer protection ✅

Beyond technical supervision, ART plans to intensify its efforts to protect consumer rights. The budget includes measures to ensure a better user experience, which requires monitoring the quality of services provided by operators.

A portion of the funds will also be allocated to the Public Treasury, the Special Telecommunications Fund, and other beneficiary organizations to support national initiatives related to the telecom sector.

Assessment of ongoing reforms 📈

Alongside the budget adoption, ART reviewed the reforms undertaken since Decree No. 2020/227 of December 30, 2020, on the reorganization of the agency.

These reforms aim to modernize ART’s operations, optimize the execution of its missions, and strengthen its role in the development of the digital sector in Cameroon.

With this budget and its objectives for 2025, ART reaffirms its role in regulating and modernizing the telecom sector in Cameroon.

Your thoughts!!!
Do you think these funds will be sufficient to address the country’s digital challenges? Let us know in the comments ☺️