Cameroon Launches New Audit of National Fiber Network Amid Mounting Service Complaints

(3 Minutes Read)

Cameroon’s Telecommunications Regulatory Board (ART) initiated a new restricted tender process for an independent audit of the country’s national fiber optic network. The decision follows persistent public and industry criticism regarding the deteriorating quality of telecom services across the Central African nation.

The audit, budgeted at 350 million CFA francs, will evaluate both the operational performance and structural integrity of the network managed by Camtel, the state-owned operator that holds exclusive rights to the infrastructure. Camtel not only maintains the network but also sells access to other telecom companies, a situation that has sparked long-standing friction with competitors like Orange Cameroon and MTN Cameroon, who accuse Camtel of contributing to frequent service disruptions.

According to the official tender notice signed by ART Director General Philémon Zo’o Zame, three candidates are competing for the contract: the Telecam/Tactis consortium, the HLB ACP Central Africa consortium, and Telec.

This initiative follows a previous audit released in September 2024, which highlighted serious issues in the network’s management. That report, ordered in response to ongoing complaints about mobile connectivity, concluded that the infrastructure was “in a state of continual decline” and noted that maintenance protocols required urgent review. Among the challenges identified were inconsistent power supplies at technical sites, fuel shortages in major urban areas, and frequent fiber cable damage.

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In a public response, Camtel emphasised its pivotal role in Cameroon’s digital infrastructure, asserting, “We are the guarantors of Cameroon’s digital sovereignty.” The operator claimed it has implemented measures to maintain uninterrupted service during technical failures.

The upcoming audit will test the validity of those claims and aims to inform more effective regulatory frameworks for managing and sharing telecom infrastructure throughout the country.