Cameroon is actively preparing for the arrival of 5G by finalizing specifications that will define the technical, legal and environmental conditions for its deployment. This key step, scheduled for 2025, aims to modernize the national digital landscape, while addressing challenges such as the inclusion of rural areas and environmental impact.
During the presentation of the roadmap of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, on January 23, 2025, Minette Libom Li Likeng confirmed that the specifications for the establishment and operation of 5G networks in Cameroon will be finalized this year. This crucial document will aim to frame the deployment of 5G by establishing strict conditions for operators.
An expert in telecommunications regulation stressed that these specifications will be both technical and regulatory. It will cover several fundamental aspects, including: The allocation of licenses, through calls for tenders or auctions, in order to guarantee fair management of the frequency spectrum. Technical standards, to ensure compliance with international standards established by 3GPP. Coverage obligations, with priority given to rural areas that are often left behind. Quality of service, including high speeds and low latency.
Environmental considerations, such as the management of electromagnetic waves and the reduction of ecological impact. This framework aims to align Cameroon’s digital development with its national priorities and the opportunities offered by 5G, particularly in terms of fast connectivity, technological innovation and reduction of the digital divide.
The development of this framework was not improvised. In April 2024, Minpostel launched a call for tenders to recruit a consultant to assess the terms of access to the 5G spectrum. Among the assigned missions: Identify international best practices in 5G deployment. Propose economic models for the allocation of frequency bands. Adapt the recommendations of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) to the Cameroonian context.
This work was carried out under the supervision of the Interministerial Committee for the Allocation of Frequency Bands (CIABAF), which had already identified the 3.3-3.8 GHz band in 2022 as being suitable for the deployment of 5G.
The main telecommunications operators in Cameroon, MTN and Orange, have also shown dynamism in this transition to 5G. In 2023, MTN expressed its ambition to become the leader in 5G services in the country. “The introduction of 5G on our network is part of our ambitions. We are convinced that it will bring more modernity and will help relieve network congestion,” declared Mitwa Ng’ambi, former CEO of MTN Cameroon.
For its part, Orange Cameroon has focused on innovation and awareness. In January 2023, the operator inaugurated a 5G laboratory in Douala, dedicated to training young people and exploring the digital opportunities offered by this technology.
Despite these advances, several obstacles remain to be overcome. Among them, the high cost of infrastructure, accessibility for all social classes and coverage of still isolated rural areas. The quality of existing services, often criticized, will also have to be improved to hope for a successful deployment. By finalizing its regulatory framework by 2025, Cameroon hopes not only to catch up on its technological delay, but also to position 5G as an engine of economic growth and digital inclusion. It remains to be seen whether this ambition will translate into concrete results for citizens and the national economy.
