• Algeria awarded 5G licenses to Mobilis, Djezzy and Ooredoo for a combined USD 492 million.

• Executive decrees and full technical/financial requirements were published in the Official Gazette on 24 November.

• The award clears the way for 5G rollout ahead of the planned commercial launch in H2 2025.

Algeria is moving closer to launching commercial 5G services, a step that will bring faster mobile connectivity and enable new digital applications across education, healthcare, industry and public administration.

The government approved the allocation of fifth-generation (5G) mobile licenses to three national operators: ATM Mobilis (Mobilis), Optimum Télécom Algérie (Djezzy) and Wataniya Télécom Algérie (Ooredoo). Authorities published the executive decrees authorizing the establishment and operation of 5G networks, as well as the provision of associated services, in the Official Gazette No. 77 on Monday, 24 November. The government also issued the regulatory documents detailing technical, financial and coverage obligations.

According to the official texts, Mobilis will pay DZD 22.2 billion (about $170.7 million), Ooredoo Algérie will pay DZD 21 billion (about $161.6 million) and Djezzy will pay DZD 20.7 billion (about $159.2 million). The three licenses represent a total financial consideration of DZD 63.9 billion, or nearly $492 million. Operators must follow the payment terms set in the regulatory documents.

The allocation follows the government’s earlier announcement to launch 5G services in the second half of 2025. The award also comes as demand for mobile connectivity continues to grow rapidly. By the end of 2023, Algeria counted 53.62 million internet subscribers, including 48.09 million mobile-internet users across GSM, 3G and 4G networks, and 5.53 million fixed-internet users via ADSL, 4G LTE and FTTH.

Although 4G remains the dominant technology, increasing bandwidth-intensive usage and the rise of advanced digital services make the 5G rollout necessary.

The license award marks a critical milestone in the deployment of 5G in Algeria. It allows operators to begin activating their networks, while meeting the government’s coverage and quality requirements. The technology, already deployed in several African countries, offers higher speeds and lower latency, enabling applications such as HD/4K streaming, e-education, telemedicine, remote work and e-government services.

The success of the transition will depend on the speed of network rollout, the quality of services, the affordability of offers for consumers and the operators’ ability to support the adoption of new digital uses.

This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum