Cameroon’s Telecoms in Crisis: Power Cuts, Insecurity, and Growing Frustration 📶

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Cameroon is currently facing a critical situation regarding the quality of its telecom services. For several months now, consumer complaints have been on the rise, citing network outages, slow internet speeds, and white zones with no signal. These issues are attributed to various factors, including unstable power supply and deteriorating infrastructure. In this context, the Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (ART) began a series of meetings with telecom operators during the week of April 08, 2025.

Mounting Pressure on Operators 📞

In response to growing user dissatisfaction, ART is demanding concrete commitments from operators. Meetings have been held with MTN, Orange, Camtel, NuRAN Wireless, and IHS. The goal: to secure tangible measures that will improve service quality.

Back in May 2023, ART fined operators a total of 6 billion FCFA for recurring service failures. Since then, the agency has been pushing for more effective investment plans, especially in areas most affected by poor service.

Power Cuts and Security Issues: Ongoing Challenges ⚡

A major obstacle remains the country’s energy supply. According to IHS Cameroon, which manages mobile telecom towers, both instability and high electricity costs are key barriers. Frequent blackouts have forced operators to rely on generators—greatly increasing operational costs and degrading service quality.

In addition, insecurity in certain regions is also hampering network operations. Cases of kidnappings and attacks targeting telecom infrastructure have disrupted maintenance teams. These threats make it difficult to deploy and maintain equipment in high-risk areas.

Aging Infrastructure and Land Disputes 🏚️

Beyond power and security issues, operators also face major infrastructure challenges. Many telecom sites are suffering from worn-out equipment, often worsened by vandalism. Camtel’s fiber-optic network is particularly vulnerable. Financial difficulties have made it hard for the company to maintain and upgrade its systems.

On top of that, land disputes sometimes prevent technicians from accessing maintenance sites, further complicating efforts to keep networks running smoothly.

A Coordinated Approach Is Vital 🤝

In light of these challenges, ART has urged operators to expand network coverage, especially in Yaoundé, Douala, Bafoussam, and along key highways. However, without sustainable solutions to the energy, security, and infrastructure problems, service quality will likely remain inconsistent.

A coordinated effort between all sector stakeholders is therefore crucial to achieving lasting improvement in Cameroon’s telecom services.

À vos avis !!!
Quelles solutions proposez-vous pour améliorer la qualité des services télécoms au Cameroun ? Partagez vos idées en commentaires ! 😊