• Burkina Faso gives telecom operators 6 months to meet service commitments
  
  
• Govt urges better coverage, transparency, and infrastructure on key routes
  
  
• 61.7% of targets met; penalties possible for further delays, officials warn
  

Burkina Faso’s government has stepped up pressure on telecom operators to deliver on service-quality commitments agreed in October 2024. At a review meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 10, authorities gave operators six months to meet obligations set for 2025 and 2026.

Digital Transition Minister Aminata Zerbo/Sabane said the commitments “cannot be viewed as simple intentions but as performance obligations.” The measures include rolling out new radio sites, improving user experience, meeting coverage requirements, ensuring greater transparency for subscribers and maintaining network infrastructure along major transport corridors.

She also noted delays identified in earlier assessments, particularly in implementing rules on infrastructure sharing. Orange Burkina was commended for progress on several commitments, in some cases beyond expectations. Overall, operators have completed 61.72 percent of the ten commitments.

The government is pushing for broader service coverage and better network performance, which it considers essential to the country’s digital-transformation goals. Consumers have also been demanding more reliable services for work, communication and entertainment. Complaints on social media have contributed to the pressure that led operators to pledge improvements last year.

Authorities warned operators to meet the deadlines or face consequences, although they did not specify potential sanctions. The regulator ARCEP previously issued formal warnings in June 2023 for failing to meet licence-based quality and coverage requirements, and fined Telecel Faso about 857.8 million CFA francs (1.53 million dollars).

Quality of service is not the only concern for consumers. Last week, after ARCEP announced upcoming measures to improve fairness and transparency in telecom services, users renewed calls for lower internet prices.

Isaac K. Kassouwi