• Algeria Telecom to deploy 345 4G stations nationwide

• First phase installs 195 stations, second adds 150

• Plan aims to boost coverage, speed, reliability nationwide

State-owned operator Algeria Telecom announced on February 15 a plan to expand its 4G coverage nationwide, with the rollout of 345 base stations across 44 provinces.

According to the company, the first phase, currently under way and scheduled to run through March, includes the installation of 195 stations. A second phase will add at least 150 more.

In addition to extending coverage to remote areas, the deployment is intended to strengthen the network in high-density zones, deliver faster speeds and improve service reliability.

With these new stations equipped with latest-generation technology, Algeria Telecom aims to meet growing and increasingly varied demand for digital services. The move would also help consolidate its position in a market shared with Djezzy and Ooredoo. Four internet service providers also operate in the country.

A Program Aligned With Government Priorities

The initiative is part of broader efforts to expand access to quality ICT services amid Algeria’s digital transition. Its announcement follows a February 12 meeting chaired by Minister of Post and Telecommunications Sid Ali Zerrouki with mobile operators Djezzy, Ooredoo and Mobilis, Algeria Telecom’s mobile subsidiary. The meeting reviewed network quality and coverage gaps, particularly in rural areas.

Zerrouki urged operators to submit concrete plans to address shortcomings, including coverage along road networks, especially in the south. He called for at least basic service coverage to be in place before June, particularly to enable emergency calls.

Participants also agreed to set clear deadlines to complete coverage before year-end, with regular follow-up to ensure tangible and lasting improvements in service quality.

Separately, the government is rolling out a nationwide program to expand mobile coverage, focusing on villages and rural communities with populations between 500 and 2,000. The first phase covered 1,400 localities, while 4,500 more are expected to be connected to the national mobile network by 2027 under the second phase.

In May 2025, authorities also called for greater use of the Alcomsat-1 satellite to extend internet access. Efforts to expand fiber-optic infrastructure are ongoing.

Near-Total Coverage, but Usage Gaps

According to the International Telecommunication Union, 2G covered 98.5% of the population in 2023. In 2024, 3G and 4G coverage reached 99.1%.

Mobile penetration stood at 92.7% in 2024, while internet penetration was estimated at 77.4%, the ITU said. Official figures exceed 100% because they count active SIM cards, including multiple subscriptions held by individuals.

However, 4G adoption depends on device availability. World Bank data show smartphone ownership at 84.34% among people aged 15 and over, meaning more than 15% of that group does not own a smartphone. Beyond device access, adoption is influenced by the affordability of data plans and levels of digital literacy.

Isaac K. Kassouwi