Senegal Regulator Seeks Industry Input on FTTx Deployment and Infrastructure Sharing

The Autorité de Régulation des Télécommunications et des Postes (ARTP)  has launched a public consultation on the deployment and sharing of fiber-to-the-x (FTTx) networks in Senegal, as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s digital infrastructure. The initiative comes amid rapid growth in fiber connectivity, with nearly 600,000 lines connected by the end of 2025, driven by national ambitions under the New Deal Technologique to achieve universal connectivity, digital sovereignty, and a thriving digital economy by 2034.

Despite this progress, the expansion of FTTx networks has led to challenges, including parallel infrastructure deployments, inconsistent technical architectures, and the absence of a structured co-investment framework. These issues raise concerns about inefficiencies, duplication of infrastructure, and long-term sustainability. In response, ARTP is positioning network sharing as a critical lever to optimize investments, improve efficiency, and ensure fair access to essential infrastructure across the market.

The consultation seeks input from industry stakeholders on a wide range of issues, including technical standards, deployment models, infrastructure sharing mechanisms, and market dynamics. It aims to gather insights on how fiber networks are currently deployed, the rules governing their rollout, and the availability of wholesale access and sharing arrangements. Stakeholders are also invited to provide perspectives on market demand, future growth potential, and the role of alternative technologies in expanding connectivity.

A key focus of the consultation is the development of a harmonized regulatory, technical, and economic framework for FTTx deployment. This includes defining market zones where infrastructure competition is viable, as well as identifying appropriate sharing models in less competitive areas, such as wholesale access, virtual unbundled local access (VULA), and bitstream services. The regulator is also exploring whether there is room for service providers to operate entirely on third-party fiber infrastructure.

In addition, the consultation examines technical aspects of network deployment, including architecture choices such as GPON or point-to-point systems, the use of underground ducts and aerial infrastructure, and building access requirements. It also addresses operational considerations such as quality of service, maintenance responsibilities, and coordination among multiple operators in shared network environments.

ARTP is further seeking views on market development, including current levels of fiber penetration, expected growth in major cities like Dakar, and rollout plans over the next three years. The consultation also explores the potential use of FTTx networks for mobile backhaul and the broader role of fiber in supporting Senegal’s digital ecosystem.

Ultimately, the consultation is intended to support evidence-based policymaking by identifying areas of consensus and divergence among stakeholders. The insights gathered will inform the development of a structured framework to guide future fiber deployment, encourage investment, and ensure sustainable growth of Senegal’s digital infrastructure. Stakeholders have been invited to submit detailed contributions by April 10, 2026.