Congo Telecom Regulator Issues Six-Month Ultimatum to MTN Congo and Airtel Congo
The assessment covered 20 localities across the country, including regions such as Kouilou, Niari, Bouenza, Sangha, Plateaux, Cuvette, and Likouala, testing 2G, 3G, and 4G networks for voice calls and internet performance.
The Agence de Régulation des Postes et des Communications Électroniques (ARPCE) has issued a formal six-month notice to MTN Congo and Airtel Congo to improve their network quality following field assessments that showed mixed but insufficient progress in service performance across the country.
The decision was announced on Wednesday, April 8, following a review of a nationwide quality-of-service evaluation conducted by the ARPCE’s Directorate of Electronic Communications Networks and Services between February 6 and 23, 2026. The assessment covered 20 localities across the country, including regions such as Kouilou, Niari, Bouenza, Sangha, Plateaux, Cuvette, and Likouala, testing 2G, 3G, and 4G networks for voice calls and internet performance.
The evaluation measured key indicators such as call establishment success rate, audio quality, connection time, internet speed, and signal continuity during movement. These indicators were scored against regulatory thresholds, with results compared across operators and regions using a color-coded performance system.
Mixed performance in the south, stronger 3G results
In the southern part of the country, performance was relatively better, particularly on 3G networks. MTN Congo recorded 198/210 points, while Airtel Congo scored 174/210. However, both operators showed weaker performance on older 2G networks, with MTN at 167/240 and Airtel at 161/240.
Only Komono in the Lékoumou region recorded consistently strong performance across all indicators for both operators. On 4G coverage, MTN Congo has expanded its presence to 11 localities, including Komono, while Airtel Congo remains absent in several areas such as Mossendjo, Lékana, Sembé, Enyellé, and Bétou.
Severe challenges in the north
The northern regions presented more significant challenges, with both operators recording poor 2G performance across most locations. On 3G networks, MTN Congo achieved 176/210 points, while Airtel Congo lagged significantly at 119/210, reflecting widespread underperformance.
In 2G, both operators remained below expectations, scoring 146/240 (MTN) and 141/240 (Airtel). Airtel attributed its weaker performance partly to heavy reliance on Congo Télécom’s fiber backbone, which experienced multiple interruptions during the evaluation period, forcing the operator to operate on a limited backup network.
Positive note on national roaming
Despite the challenges, the regulator confirmed that national roaming between MTN Congo and Airtel Congo is now fully operational along major routes, including National Roads 1 and 2, allowing seamless connectivity when users move between network coverage areas.
Regulatory warning and next steps
Following the findings, ARPCE Director of Networks and Services, Benjamin Mouandza, confirmed that both operators have been formally placed on notice and given six months to address identified shortcomings before the next evaluation cycle.
The regulator also reminded operators that any network architecture changes must be declared and approved in advance, and that the use of experimental satellite terminals requires explicit authorization.
The next nationwide assessment will serve as a decisive benchmark to determine whether MTN Congo and Airtel Congo have met regulatory expectations on quality of service, turning current commitments into measurable improvements.
