(Ecofin Agency) - Orange Guinea is increasing the pressure on its local competitors MTN and Cellcom. On March 14, 2019, the operator acquired a 4G licence thus becoming the pioneer of this technology in the country.

By acquiring its 4G licence at $90 million, Orange Guinea also renewed its 2G and 3G licences now valid for ten more years.

In the license agreements, the operator is required to cover every region with 2G and 3G networks and at least 90% of the population with the 4G.

According to IT minister Moustapha Mamy Diaby, this "license is different from the one in 2007 because it is backed by a specific and detailed contract. There is also a monitoring system to identify deficiencies, be them technical or consumers’ abuse, and a penalty mechanism."  

With the 4G, Orange is taking a strong leap ahead of MTN, and Cellcom that only offers 3G+. The new technology should let Orange boost its leadership in the local telecom market where it already has 63% of market share.

In 2018, it invested about €51 million in Guinea and realised a turnover of more than €280 million.