• Operators review 2025 investments, outline 2026 expansion plans

• Consumer complaints persist over unreliable voice and internet services

Cameroon’s Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (ART) is pressing operators over service quality. Earlier this week, the regulator held a series of meetings with MTN, Orange, and infrastructure provider IHS Cameroon.

The discussions focused on assessing 2025 investment commitments and their implementation, while also reviewing investment plans for 2026. This includes projects aimed at expanding nationwide network coverage, particularly along priority road corridors.

During its meeting with ART on Monday, April 13, MTN Cameroon reviewed investments that helped strengthen data capacity, improve call quality, and enhance network resilience, according to the regulator. The operator also outlined corrective measures, including upgrades to power systems and data centers.

For 2026, MTN plans to continue expanding its network, improve service reliability, and deploy advanced technologies such as IMS-VoLTE ahead of 5G rollout. The company is implementing a $300 million investment plan for 2025–2027 to support Cameroon’s digital transformation. However, ART is urging faster investment in next-generation technologies, particularly 4G, as legacy 2G and 3G networks decline.

At its meeting with the regulator on Tuesday, April 14, IHS Cameroon said it invested 9.3 billion CFA francs ($16.7 million) in 2025 to strengthen its infrastructure. In 2026, the company plans to continue expanding and modernizing its assets, with a focus on addressing energy constraints affecting telecom infrastructure and improving the reliability and sustainability of connectivity.

This regulatory pressure comes amid repeated consumer complaints about deteriorating voice and data services. Users report frequent call drops, poor audio quality, and unstable internet connections. These issues have been reported in major cities such as Yaounde and Douala, as well as in northern regions.

Since 2022, ART has stepped up oversight, carrying out regular inspections of MTN, Orange, Camtel, and IHS facilities. The regulator has also held ongoing technical consultations with industry players, secured investment commitments, and taken enforcement action. In July 2025, it imposed a combined fine of 2.6 billion CFA francs on operators following technical audits conducted between April and May 2024.

Isaac K. Kassouwi