Cameroon Regulator Presses MTN and Orange Over Declining Telecom Service Quality
The Director General of ART underlined the potential of this resource to strengthen national connectivity, calling for better coordination between actors in a logic of mutualization and economic efficiency. Operators, for their part, have pleaded for better tariff conditionalities.
In a dynamic of consultation in the face of the persistent deterioration in the quality of telecom services throughout the country, the Director General of the Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (ART) , Prof. Philémon Zoo Zame, received in audience at the Platinum Building in Yaoundé, this Tuesday, September 16, 2025, the General Directors of MTN Cameroon , Wanda Matandela, and Orange Cameroon , Patrick Benon.
For several weeks, consumer complaints have been multiplying, denouncing frequent interruptions, difficult calls to be routed, unstable internet browsing and significantly declining speeds. This discontent reflects a growing exasperation among users, who are struggling to obtain services that are commensurate with their financial commitments. Faced with this worrying situation, the regulator held a working session to assess the actions taken by operators and consider sustainable solutions to the problem of quality of service.
During the hearing, Professor Philémon Zoo Zame expressed his growing concern about the persistent deterioration in the quality of service. He demanded from the officials of MTNC and OCM a prompt reactivity and concrete measures to curb a crisis that is taking hold. Operators, while acknowledging disruptions in their networks, cited exogenous factors such as technical incidents and constraints related to the operating environment. They nevertheless assured that corrective actions are underway, promising a perceptible improvement in the coming days. The regulator, while welcoming these commitments, insisted on the need to achieve tangible and measurable results.
Beyond quality-of-service issues, the meeting made it possible to address more structural issues, in particular the issue of the rental of raw optical fibre, this infrastructure deployed but not yet operated. Despite announced investments of 25 to 30 billion, their impact remains difficult to perceive on the ground. The Director General of ART underlined the potential of this resource to strengthen national connectivity, calling for better coordination between actors in a logic of mutualization and economic efficiency. Operators, for their part, have pleaded for better tariff conditionalities.
The management of radio frequencies was also mentioned. In this regard, the regulator recalled that their use must meet criteria of transparency and technical performance. In addition, operators have expressed their concern about the intensification of technical inspections, with fourteen inspection operations carried out by the ART since the beginning of the year. They suggested a rationalization of these operations, considering that they mobilize human resources to the detriment of efforts to improve the network.
Another point raised concerned the interpretation of the regulatory texts, in particular the method of calculating frequency fees according to Joint Order No. 000769/MINPOSTEL/MINFI of December 28, 2023, setting the amounts, contributions and methods of calculation of fees for the use of radio frequencies as well as their payment terms, in force. Operators have reported the non-concerted parameter changes, calling for official clarification by the competent authorities.
At the end of the discussions, the stakeholders recognised the need for a broad and structured consultation, capable of responding to the technical, social and regulatory challenges of the sector. A monitoring platform was proposed, accompanied by enhanced technical support. All agreed that only a concerted and urgent response will make it possible to avoid the recurrence of crises, to the detriment of consumers of telecommunications products and services.
