Mobile operator, Expresso, a subsidiary of the Sudanese telecom group Sudatel, risks losing its license to operate a publicly available electronic communications network in Senegal. The Post and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (Arpt) is accusing the company of several breaches of its commitments and demands CFA7 billion.

According to the regulator, Expresso does not invest enough to improve the quality and coverage of its network, as agreed on in its specifications. Sonatel and Free have already been offering 4G to their customers for more than a year. Expresso, which announced it for March 2020, has postponed it to an undefined date.

This formal notice from the regulator comes at a time of strong consumer demand for quality telecom services, which played a key role during the coronavirus pandemic. The restriction of movement caused by the disease has been somewhat mitigated by the sector as it has helped maintain the continuity of public services, economic activities, and social interactions.

Currently, Senegal is working to accelerate its digital transformation. Telecom operators are an indispensable link in this transformation. They contribute to reducing the digital divide. The telecom regulator cannot compromise on their obligations concerning the country's development issues.

Muriel Edjo