ARTP Mawlid 2026 Télécommunications Sénégal: Quality Monitoring Ramps Up

• Senegal's ARTP is implementing a reinforced technical monitoring system for Mawlid 2026, focusing on telecom services in key religious cities.
• Operators SONATEL, YAS, and EXPRESSO SENEGAL are under scrutiny for call, SMS, and mobile internet quality, with ARTP checking infrastructure and power supply.
• The ARTP is also conducting non-ionizing radiation (RNI) measurements in religious centers to ensure base stations comply with public exposure norms.
• New digital tools, including the 'Application Mawlid' and the SAYTU RÉSEAUX app, facilitate incident reporting and network quality checks for pilgrims.
• A post-event assessment will evaluate the overall performance of the deployed measures and operator compliance, informing future regulatory strategies.

The ARTP's comprehensive review also includes critical aspects like transmission infrastructure, fiber optic networks, power supply systems, and overall network supervision.

As Senegal prepares for Mawlid 2026, the Autorité de régulation des télécommunications et des postes (ARTP) has significantly ramped up its on-the-ground monitoring of telecommunications services. This intensified oversight targets major operators SONATEL, YAS, and EXPRESSO SENEGAL, with ARTP teams conducting thorough checks in key religious centers such as Tivaouane, Ndiassane, Kaolack, and Thienaba. These inspections are scheduled to occur before, during, and after the event, ensuring consistent service quality for the large influx of pilgrims.

The regulatory body's focus encompasses the reliability of calls, SMS, and mobile internet connectivity, extending its scrutiny to the principal roadways linking these sacred cities. To accommodate the anticipated surge in demand, operators have proactively deployed additional infrastructure, establishing new sites in Tivaouane, Thienaba, Ndiassane, and Kaolack. The ARTP's comprehensive review also includes critical aspects like transmission infrastructure, fiber optic networks, power supply systems, and overall network supervision. Furthermore, dedicated technical teams are strategically positioned at key locations and along major routes to promptly address any incidents, manage complaints, and ensure uninterrupted service continuity throughout the Mawlid period.

Beyond maintaining robust network performance, the ARTP is also committed to safeguarding public health by conducting non-ionizing radiation (RNI) measurements. These crucial checks are performed in the religious foyers before, during, and after Mawlid 2026. The primary objective is to verify that all base stations adhere strictly to both national and international standards governing public exposure to electromagnetic waves, thereby ensuring a safe environment for all attendees. This proactive approach underscores the ARTP's dual mandate of regulating telecommunications quality and protecting citizens.

This comprehensive regulatory framework highlights the importance of compliance for telecom operators in Senegal. The ARTP's detailed monitoring of network performance and adherence to RNI norms during significant national events like Mawlid 2026 signals a heightened level of scrutiny. Compliance officers at SONATEL, YAS, and EXPRESSO should recognize this as an indicator of potential enforcement risks related to network performance and public health standards, necessitating proactive measures to ensure infrastructure and service delivery consistently meet regulatory expectations.

To further enhance incident management and user experience during Mawlid 2026, several digital tools and coordinated efforts are in place. The 'Application Mawlid,' unveiled in Tivaouane on August 19, 2026, by the Zawiya tidjane communication unit, serves as a multi-functional platform. It enables pilgrims to report a wide array of issues, from lost children and medical emergencies to infrastructure failures like power or water cuts, traffic congestion, and critical connectivity problems. This application effectively integrates digital reporting with on-the-ground incident resolution.

Pilgrims also have access to additional channels for reporting network issues and assessing service quality. The ARTP provides a toll-free number, 800 800 200, and promotes the 'SAYTU RÉSEAUX' application, available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. These tools allow users to test network quality and confidentially report any dysfunctions, contributing to the overall quality of service in Senegal. The extensive preparations involve the mobilization of several hundred personnel across Thiès, Diamniadio, Tivaouane, Ndiassane, Kaolack, and Thienaba. Complementing these efforts, community radio stations such as Dabakh FM, Albourakh FM, and Al Bayane FM are also bolstering their operations for Mawloud 2026 in Tivaouane, part of a broader network of local media that received 412 million FCFA in funding from the FADP in 2025, benefiting 127 community radios.

Following the conclusion of Mawlid 2026, the ARTP plans to compile a detailed report. This assessment will critically evaluate the performance of the entire technical and operational framework implemented for the event. The findings will provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of the deployed measures and the compliance levels of the telecommunications operators.

This post-event analysis is crucial for informing future regulatory strategies and ensuring continuous improvement in the quality of telecommunications services across Senegal, particularly during periods of high demand. The ongoing commitment to monitoring and evaluation underscores the ARTP's role in maintaining high standards for the ARTP Mawlid 2026 telecommunications Sénégal landscape.

Compliance officers for telecom operators in Senegal (SONATEL, YAS, EXPRESSO) should note the ARTP's intensified on-the-ground monitoring of service quality and non-ionizing radiation (RNI) compliance during major events like Mawlid. This indicates heightened regulatory scrutiny and potential enforcement risks related to network performance and public health standards, requiring proactive measures to ensure infrastructure and service delivery meet regulatory expectations.

Source: Original reporting via Rewmi