ART Cameroon: Fines Camtel, Orange, MTN Over 93 Service Breaches

• Cameroon's Agence de Régulation des Télécommunications (ART) identified 93 serious contractual breaches by Camtel, Orange, and MTN.
• These deficiencies, found during a July-August 2026 audit, carry an estimated financial value of 18.6 billion FCFA.
• Camtel accounted for the most breaches (41, valued at 8.2 billion FCFA), followed by Orange (29, 5.8 billion FCFA) and MTN (23, 4.6 billion FCFA).
• Issues included poor voice and data quality, insufficient network coverage, and core network problems across major cities and road axes.
• Operators have 15 days to implement corrective measures or face financial and administrative sanctions from the ART.

This decisive action by Philémon Zoo Zame and the ART signals a heightened period of regulatory scrutiny for telecommunications providers in Cameroon, particularly concerning the quality of service mobile, network coverage, and infrastructure maintenance.

The Agence de Régulation des Télécommunications (ART) in Cameroon has issued formal notices to the nation's three primary mobile operators—Camtel, Orange Cameroun, and MTN Cameroon—following a comprehensive technical audit that uncovered 93 serious breaches of their contractual obligations. This regulatory action, announced by ART Director General Philémon Zoo Zame in an official communiqué dated November 10, 2026, stems from a multidisciplinary control conducted between July 13 and August 10, 2026. The identified shortcomings carry an estimated financial implication totaling 18.6 billion FCFA.

The extensive inspection covered key urban centers, including Yaoundé, Douala, and Bafoussam, alongside critical road arteries such as Yaoundé-Edéa-Douala, Douala-Nkongsamba-Bafoussam, and Bafoussam-Bafia-Yaoundé. During this period, ART's technical teams meticulously evaluated the performance of the concessionary operators. The findings indicate widespread issues across various service aspects, prompting the regulator to demand immediate corrective actions from the companies within a strict 15-day timeframe, or face potential financial or administrative penalties.

Camtel, the historical operator, accounted for the largest share of the identified problems, with 41 deficiencies valued at an estimated 8.2 billion FCFA. The ART specifically highlighted failures in voice quality for both 2G and 3G services, mobile data performance, and SMS delivery across the three metropolitan areas under review. Furthermore, Camtel's 2G network coverage was found to be inadequate along all three major road axes, and critical issues were noted within its core network concerning availability, service continuity, and redundancy.

Orange Cameroun followed with 29 identified breaches, corresponding to an estimated 5.8 billion FCFA. The regulator cited poor voice service quality for 2G and 3G in Yaoundé, Douala, and Bafoussam, as well as data disruptions in Douala and Bafoussam. Additionally, Orange was found to have insufficient network coverage, specifically for 2G services on the three road axes and 3G services on the Yaoundé-Edéa-Douala route. MTN Cameroon recorded 23 deficiencies, with an estimated financial impact of 4.6 billion FCFA, primarily related to voice service quality (2G/3G) in the three cities, data performance in Bafoussam, and 2G coverage on the Yaoundé-Edéa-Douala axis. Beyond these specific issues, all three operators were found to have common irregularities concerning equipment homologation and non-compliance in the use of service frequencies and radio beams.

Beyond the direct mobile telephony issues, the ART's communiqué also brought to light concerning conclusions from an audit initiated in 2025 regarding the national fiber optic network. This vital infrastructure, comprising 112 sections and managed by Camtel, has suffered "significant degradation." The audit revealed recurrent service interruptions stemming from inadequate installation and maintenance practices, alongside failures in optical equipment and civil engineering components. The regulator emphasized that this deterioration directly impacts the continuity of services provided by all operators in Cameroon and results in a loss of billions of FCFA for the telecommunications sector as a whole.

In response to these findings, the Agence de Régulation des Télécommunications Cameroun has formally notified each operator, demanding that specific corrective measures be implemented within the stipulated 15-day period. Following this deadline, the regulator plans to conduct a follow-up inspection. Should the deficiencies persist, the ART is prepared to impose financial or administrative sanctions, aligning with the existing regulatory framework for telecoms in Cameroon. This firm stance underscores the ART's commitment to enforcing compliance and improving the qualité service mobile across the nation.

This decisive action by Philémon Zoo Zame and the ART signals a heightened period of regulatory scrutiny for telecommunications providers in Cameroon, particularly concerning the quality of service mobile, network coverage, and infrastructure maintenance. The substantial estimated financial penalties associated with the identified manquements opérateurs télécoms Cameroun underscore the seriousness with which the regulator views these breaches. For operators like Camtel, Orange, and MTN Cameroon, the immediate priority is to address the mandated corrections within the tight 15-day window to avert further significant financial and administrative repercussions.

The implications extend beyond the immediate fines, highlighting the critical need for robust internal compliance programs within these companies. Lawyers advising telecom operators in Cameroon should note this intensified focus on adherence to contractual obligations and technical standards. The degradation of the national fiber optic network, managed by Camtel, further complicates the landscape, as its poor state affects all service providers and represents a substantial economic drain on the sector. This regulatory intervention aims to safeguard consumer interests and ensure a reliable telecommunications environment across the country.

Lawyers advising telecom operators in Cameroon should note the heightened regulatory scrutiny by ART, particularly regarding quality of service, network coverage, and infrastructure maintenance. Compliance officers must ensure their companies address the identified deficiencies within the 15-day deadline to avoid significant financial and administrative sanctions, and review internal compliance programs to mitigate future regulatory risks.

Source: Original reporting via Actu Cameroun