ARCEP begins national audit of telecom services, covering 23 provinces and highways

Mobile users complain of call failures, slow connections, and frequent outages

Law allows fines up to 5% of revenue, suspension, or license withdrawal for breaches

The Regulatory Authority for Electronic Communications and Postal Services (ARCEP) has launched its 15th national audit of telecom service quality, focusing on the performance of the country’s two main operators. The audit aims to measure compliance with contractual obligations and assess whether past recommendations have improved service delivery.

Conducted with the support of an independent technical firm, the audit will run until October 2025. It will cover all 23 provincial capitals as well as key towns along major highways. Its goals include checking operators’ adherence to commitments, reviewing the implementation of previous recommendations, and evaluating progress in service quality for users.

The initiative comes as mobile service quality continues to deteriorate, with rising complaints about failed calls, slow internet speeds, and frequent outages. Following a major outage in October 2024, Prime Minister Allah-Maye Halina said: “People have suffered too long from negligence, even collusion between mobile operators and corrupt officials in our administration.”

Consumers, especially on social media, have proposed stronger measures. These include imposing penalty fees for non-compliance, setting short deadlines for corrective action, and, if problems persist, revoking licenses in favor of a national operator capable of covering the country. Others are calling for new entrants to open up the market, boost competition, and improve service, while supporting local initiatives to develop homegrown digital operators.

ARCEP has not yet detailed what measures it will take after the audit. However, the electronic communications law provides a strict framework for sanctions. Under Article 37, any operator failing to meet its obligations may be given 30 days to comply. Beyond that, fines of up to 5% of annual revenue can be imposed, with the rate doubled in case of repeat offenses. Article 38 allows for tougher measures, including suspension of the license for one month, reduction of its duration, or permanent withdrawal, subject to approval by the Regulatory Council.