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Cameroon Struggles with Internet Outages as Network Audit Begins
For several months, internet connectivity in Cameroon has been plagued by disruptions. In a statement released on September 11, the telecommunications regulator highlighted a "continuous decline in the quality of electronic communication services"
provided by operators MTN Cameroon, Orange Cameroun, and Camtel across their 2G, 3G, and 4G networks. These issues are reportedly due to insufficient electricity supply, exacerbated by fuel shortages and frequent fiber optic cable breaks.
The Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (ART) has tried to reassure the public, emphasizing the ongoing cooperation between the service providers. "Technical teams from MTN and Orange are actively working on the ground, in coordination with Camtel, to restore optimal service conditions as quickly as possible," the agency stated. Additionally, an audit of Camtel's national fiber optic network is currently underway.
Initial findings from the audit suggest that "this national fiber optic infrastructure is in a state of continuous deterioration, and its maintenance conditions need to be reassessed." In response, public authorities are committed to improving the network's maintenance, as well as rehabilitating and expanding it to ensure better performance. This audit is expected to drive reforms in the telecommunications sector, starting with modernized infrastructure management. Camtel, for instance, has announced plans to deploy an additional 3,500 kilometers of fiber optic cable across Cameroon by 2024, bringing the total to over 15,500 kilometers.
Despite the regulator imposing fines totaling 6 billion CFA francs on the country's four telecommunications companies for "failing to meet coverage and service quality obligations," the situation has yet to improve. Consumers continue to bear the cost of poor network quality. If the audit leads to modernized infrastructure management and attracts new investments, it could result in a better internet experience for users in the near future.
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