YAOUNDÉ, July 8 (AGCNewsNet) — Cameroon’s telecommunications regulatory authority has imposed fines totaling nearly €4 million on telecom multinationals Orange and MTN for repeated failures in service quality and consumer protection obligations.

The fines follow inspections carried out by the Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (ART) between April and May 2024, which uncovered widespread deficiencies, including substandard coverage rates and service malfunctions. In a public statement on Monday, ART described the infractions as “serious” and “in violation of the operators’ specifications.”

Orange Cameroon was fined approximately €2.44 million for failing to meet network coverage and service delivery standards, alongside an additional €304,898 for violating pricing regulations, including malfunctions in unsubscribing from certain services—an issue ART labeled a “clear breach of consumer rights.”

South Africa’s MTN Cameroon, which alongside Orange holds over 80% of the national telecom market, was penalized €1.52 million for similar failings related to service coverage and quality.

This marks the second major enforcement action in just over a year. In May 2023, ART levied combined fines of €9.15 million against the country's four telecom providers, yet the agency notes that significant customer complaints and technical shortfalls persist despite investment promises from operators.

“Access to reliable digital services is no longer a luxury—it’s a national economic and social imperative,” ART said, stressing that the sanctions are intended as “a strong signal to operators to intensify efforts toward improving service standards.”

The latest crackdown comes amid growing frustrations among Cameroonian consumers over unreliable mobile networks, call drops, and high data costs. ART insists that while it acknowledges ongoing infrastructure upgrades, “operators must demonstrate tangible improvements that match their market dominance.”

Orange, headquartered in France, and MTN, based in South Africa, have not yet issued public responses to the sanctions.

Cameroon’s telecom sector remains a key driver of economic growth, but stakeholders say increased transparency, investment accountability, and consumer-centered innovation are urgently needed to bridge digital divides and meet national development goals.

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