(Ecofin Agency) - Intercel, the mobile telecommunications operator, has been asked to end its activities in Guinea since October 9, according to the decision N° D/009/MPTEN/CAB/2018 of the country’s ministry of posts, telecommunication, and digital economy.

Guinea’s telecommunications regulatory agency (ARPT) reveals that this decision taken by the ministry is the result of the recurring difficulties Intercel Guinea was confronted with and their negative impacts on the national telecommunications sector.

The telecommunications company is said to have persisting debts towards the government, its competitors and many contractors. In addition, it did not invest enough for the extension of its 2G network in accordance with its terms and agreements. There is also the performance that is always negative, fraudulent practices reported by this company’s competitors, a drastic decrease of its network coverage and degradation of the quality as well as recurring social problems with its staff.

With regards to all these problems, Intercel has been required to stop the commercialization of its products and services, maintain the communication of only its clients for 30 days and definitely stop operations once that deadline is passed.

Intercel’s adventure in Guinea is thus ending after 12 years in the country since it obtained its license on May 12, 2006.