Cameroon’s Telecom Regulator Issues Urgent Warning on Mobile Network Failures, Calls for Infrastructure Overhaul

The Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (ART) of Cameroon has raised public concerns over the deteriorating quality of mobile communication services from the country’s major operators, including MTN Cameroon, ORANGE Cameroon, and CAMTEL. The alert comes after extensive inspections revealed significant service disruptions across their 2G, 3G, and 4G networks, affecting millions of consumers nationwide.

Key factors contributing to the decline include irregular power supply and fuel shortages at technical sites, particularly in urban areas. Moreover, ongoing disruptions to the national fiber optic network have exacerbated connectivity issues. These challenges are severely impacting the reliability of telecommunications services, further straining the already fragile infrastructure.

In response, MTN Cameroon and ORANGE Cameroon have mobilized technical teams and are working in close coordination with CAMTEL to address the issues and restore stable network performance. As part of broader efforts to resolve these problems, the government has directed ART to perform an operational audit of CAMTEL’s national fiber optic infrastructure. Preliminary findings indicate ongoing degradation, prompting calls for a reassessment of existing maintenance practices.

The government is now prioritizing the rehabilitation and expansion of the national telecommunications infrastructure to ensure reliable and improved service delivery. ART has pledged to closely monitor operators’ investment plans aimed at enhancing network coverage and service quality across the country, with a focus on improving connectivity for both urban and rural consumers.