• Algeria grants 5G licences worth DZD 63.9 billion ($492 million) to Mobilis, Djezzy and Ooredoo.

• The government plans a six-year national rollout with eight pilot wilayas.

• Stakeholders warn about deployment costs of $3–8 billion and the affordability of 5G devices.

Algeria launched mobile 4G services in October 2016. By the end of the first half of 2025, 4G represented nearly 90% of the country’s 54.87 million mobile subscribers, according to official data.

Authorities officially launched 5G on Nov. 3, marking a significant step in the modernization of Algeria’s telecommunications sector. The government expects the progressive rollout to support the digital economy.

Telecom operators can now install their first 5G stations and prepare commercial and enterprise offers. The government plans a six-year rollout under a national strategy that aims for balanced, phased coverage. Eight wilayas will serve as pilot zones before authorities expand deployment nationwide.

This move follows the July award of 5G licences to Mobilis, Djezzy and Ooredoo, a decision confirmed in the Nov. 24 edition of the Official Gazette. Regulators also finalized technical, financial and coverage obligations for the licences, which cost DZD 63.9 billion (about $492 million).

Officials say the introduction of 5G opens a new phase of connectivity as bandwidth demand rises. They expect the technology to support artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, cloud computing and other advanced applications. Key sectors such as healthcare, Industry 4.0, education and smart mobility should benefit. Mobilis’ February 2025 tests already reached speeds of 1.2 Gbit/s.

Despite the launch, several concerns remain. One relates to the actual expansion of national coverage. An Ericsson study published in 2022 estimates that baseline 5G deployment costs range from $3 billion to $8 billion, with an additional 20–35% required for wider coverage. Algeria therefore faces the risk of a rollout that prioritizes urban areas considered more profitable, at the expense of rural regions.

Affordability poses another challenge. A GSMA report released in 2022 indicates that 5G-compatible smartphones start at $150 across several manufacturers—an amount still inaccessible for many African consumers, especially when full upfront payment is required. The organization expects that financing programs will likely be necessary to improve device accessibility and accelerate 5G adoption.

This article was initially published in French by Isaac K. Kassouwi

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum