Cameroon ART Telecom Violations: 93 Breaches Total CFAF18.6 Billion

• Cameroon's Telecommunications Regulatory Board (ART) identified 93 regulatory violations valued at CFAF18.6 billion.
• The violations involved CAMTEL, Orange Cameroon, and MTN Cameroon, with CAMTEL having the most breaches.
• Inspections conducted from July to August covered major cities and road corridors, revealing issues with equipment certification, frequency compliance, and service quality.
• The ART also warned that deterioration of the national fibre-optic network, operated by CAMTEL, is causing billions in lost revenue.
• These assessed values represent the regulator's findings, not fines already imposed on the operators.

It is important to note that these figures represent the ART's valuation of the identified breaches, rather than penalties that have already been levied against the companies.

The Telecommunications Regulatory Board of Cameroon (ART) has recently brought to light a significant number of regulatory infractions within the nation's telecommunications industry. The agency identified a total of 93 Cameroon ART telecom violations, collectively valued at CFAF18.6 billion. These findings, detailed in a statement issued on November 10, implicate major operators including state-owned CAMTEL, Orange Cameroon, and MTN Cameroon. The ART's assessment underscores a period of heightened scrutiny over adherence to established telecommunications standards and regulations across the country.

Specifically, CAMTEL was cited for the largest share of these violations, accounting for 41 instances with an estimated value of CFAF8.2 billion. Orange Cameroon followed, with 29 violations assessed at CFAF5.8 billion. MTN Cameroon recorded 23 violations, which the regulator valued at CFAF4.6 billion. It is important to note that these figures represent the ART's valuation of the identified breaches, rather than penalties that have already been levied against the companies. This distinction highlights the ongoing nature of the regulatory process following these inspections.

The comprehensive inspections that led to these findings were conducted between July 13 and August 10. The Telecommunications Regulatory Board Cameroon focused its efforts across key urban centers, including Yaounde, Douala, and Bafoussam, as well as along critical transportation arteries such as the Yaounde-Edéa-Douala, Douala-Nkongsamba-Bafoussam, and Bafoussam-Bafia-Yaounde corridors. This broad geographical scope allowed the ART to gather a wide array of data on operational compliance.

The identified CAMTEL Orange MTN regulatory issues spanned several critical areas of telecommunications service provision. Violations included deficiencies in equipment certification, a crucial aspect of ART equipment certification compliance, and non-adherence to assigned radio frequencies. Furthermore, the inspections revealed shortcomings in the overall Cameroon telecom service quality, affecting both voice and data services, alongside issues related to network coverage. For CAMTEL specifically, the regulator also pinpointed problems with SMS performance and fundamental core-network operations, encompassing availability, service continuity, redundancy measures, and automatic failover systems, indicating deeper infrastructural challenges.

Beyond the specific operator violations, the Telecommunications Regulatory Board Cameroon also issued a stark warning regarding the deteriorating condition of the national fibre-optic network. This critical infrastructure, managed by CAMTEL, is reportedly causing the telecommunications industry to lose several billion CFA francs in revenue due to its widespread degradation. This broader issue points to systemic challenges impacting the entire sector's operational efficiency and financial health.

In response to these concerns, a dedicated Cameroon fibre optic network audit was initiated in 2025. This audit is designed to thoroughly examine 112 distinct sections of the network, aiming to identify the extent of the deterioration and potential solutions. The regulator's emphasis on this network's state underscores its vital role in supporting the country's digital economy and the potential long-term consequences of its decline. The ongoing issues with the fibre-optic network add another layer of complexity to the regulatory landscape faced by telecom operators in Cameroon.

The ART's recent announcement regarding CFAF18.6 billion telecom violations signals a clear intent from the Telecommunications Regulatory Board Cameroon to enforce compliance rigorously. While the reported amounts represent assessed values of the violations rather than immediate fines, they serve as a strong indicator of the potential financial liabilities operators could face. The detailed nature of the identified breaches, ranging from technical compliance to service quality, suggests that future enforcement actions could be comprehensive and impactful.

This development highlights the imperative for telecommunications companies operating in Cameroon to proactively review their operational practices and ensure full adherence to all regulatory requirements. The focus on areas like equipment certification, frequency allocation, and service quality indicates that the ART is scrutinizing fundamental aspects of network operation. The findings from these inspections, particularly the specific issues identified with CAMTEL, Orange Cameroon, and MTN Cameroon, set a precedent for what the regulator considers unacceptable, paving the way for potential penalties if these issues are not addressed.

This report signals heightened regulatory scrutiny by Cameroon's ART on telecommunications operators, indicating a strong likelihood of future enforcement actions and significant financial penalties for non-compliance. Legal and compliance teams for telecom companies operating in Cameroon should proactively review their adherence to equipment certification, frequency allocation, and service quality standards to mitigate exposure.

Source: Original reporting via the provided source material.