Cameroon Public Utilities Forum

Telecom   

Telecommunication services are provided in Cameroon by an increasing array of companies under the leadership of CAMTEL (Cameroon Telecommunications). CAMTEL has monopoly of operation over all submarine, terrestrial and spatial radio waves, telecommunications systems, international transit centres required for routing of calls, telex and telegraphic and for transmitting data, faxes, sound and television pictures. The 100% owned Cameroon state corporation takes care of charges for calls, telephone connections and installations, modifications after installations, subscription dues, ancillary charges for telephone services and special links.

The state gives tender or permit private companies to operate electric wires or radio within specific frequencies and coverage distance. Several private radio  and television stations are now operational and the Cameroon sate owned CRTV (Cameroon Radio and Television Corporation) has ten provincial radio stations, one each province of Cameroon, a national countrywide coordinating station, some provincial or city FM stations, and a national television station. In the mobile phone sector, MTN Cameroon and Orange Cameroon are the two main operating companies. CAMTEL is the operator in the fixed phone sector. Internet services are also provided by CAMTEL and several other private entities. The increasing privatisation is stimulating innovation and growth in telecommunication service industries in Cameroon.

The ongoing telecommunication service industry growth and innovation notwithstanding, levels of satisfaction with telecommunication services remains low, in Cameroon. Issues include: poor network quality; frequently high and unexplained bills; perpetual equipment (e.g. fixed phone handset) rental charges; pirating of customer phone/fax lines; slow response to customer complaints; etc.