Authorities in Cameroon tighten measures against telecommunications companies, issuing fines totaling $4.6 million to MTN and Orange due to service lapses.
Cameroon Telecom Regulator Imposes Multi-Million Dollar Fines on MTN Cameroon and Orange Cameroun
In a bid to address growing public frustration and repeated calls from the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications to improve deteriorating service quality, the Cameroon Telecommunications Regulatory Board (TRB) has imposed fines totaling approximately 2.6 billion CFA francs (around USD 4.6 million or nearly 4 million euros) on MTN Cameroon and Orange Cameroun.
The fines were issued following inspections conducted in major cities and key transport routes between April and May 2024, which found both operators failed to meet minimum coverage and service standards required in their licenses. The TRB reported widespread issues such as unreliable voice and data services, frequent outages, and uneven network availability.
MTN Cameroon was fined approximately 1 billion CFA francs (USD 1.8 million) for deficiencies in network coverage and overall service quality. Orange Cameroun, on the other hand, was fined about 1.4 billion CFA francs (USD 2.5 million) for service delivery and pricing breaches, plus an additional approximately 200 million CFA francs (USD 357,600) for pricing non-compliance, totaling roughly 1.6 billion CFA francs (around USD 2.8 million).
Orange Cameroun was also found to have violated pricing transparency regulations and had malfunctioning opt-out mechanisms for value-added services, infringing consumer rights.
The TRB Director General, Philemon Zo'o Zame, emphasized that the penalties reflect the agency's commitment to upholding contractual standards and the critical role of dependable telecom services in national development. He also stated that continued non-compliance may result in additional penalties, including potential reductions in license validity periods.
The ongoing issues faced by consumers, such as network failures, sluggish internet, and dropped calls, are not being overlooked by the TRB. The regulator plans to intensify oversight of service providers, tighten enforcement of compliance standards, and enhance customer complaint mechanisms. Thorough infrastructure audits are also planned as part of the regulator's efforts to improve service quality.
Despite collective investments of over CFA 185 billion in network infrastructure in 2023 by Camtel, Orange, and MTN, consumers have consistently voiced concerns over recurring network failures, sluggish internet, and dropped calls issues. Widespread dissatisfaction among users in Douala and Yaoundé, as reported on local forums, is due to persistent unreliable network performance in major urban areas.
This enforcing action is a significant step in Cameroon's push to uphold service quality within its digital economy. The TRB's actions demonstrate a commitment to upholding contractual standards and the critical role of dependable telecom services in national development.
After imposing hefty fines on MTN Cameroon and Orange Cameroun, the Cameroon Telecommunications Regulatory Board (TRB) plans to intensify its focus on the industry, aiming to improve the quality of telecom services and maintain financial integrity within the sector. The fines were primarily imposed due to breaches in service delivery, pricing, and coverage standards, reflecting the TRB's commitment to ensuring compliance in the finance and industry sectors.
