The Telecommunications Regulatory Agency of Cameroon (ART) has levied fines totaling nearly €4 million against Orange Cameroon and MTN Cameroon for failing to meet mandatory service quality and coverage standards. The penalties follow extensive inspections conducted by ART in April and May 2024, which uncovered widespread shortcomings in both companies’ operations. Orange Cameroon was fined approximately €2.44 million for non-compliance with coverage and service obligations, alongside an additional €304,898 penalty for violating pricing regulations—specifically, issues involving unauthorized or difficult-to-cancel subscriptions that infringed on consumer rights.
Meanwhile, MTN Cameroon received a fine of 1 billion CFA francs (about €1.52 million) for similarly failing to meet regulatory expectations related to network coverage and service quality. ART stated that both operators, which together control more than 80% of Cameroon’s telecom market, had coverage levels below the thresholds stipulated in their operating licenses. The agency emphasized that poor mobile connectivity and unreliable digital services continue to affect millions of users across the country, despite repeated warnings and earlier sanctions.
This marks the second major regulatory action within a year; in May 2023, all four of Cameroon’s telecom operators were fined a combined €9.15 million for similar infractions. Despite promises of infrastructure improvements and investments from the companies, ART noted that service quality remains largely unsatisfactory. Regulators say these new fines should serve as a clear signal that compliance with service standards and consumer protection regulations is non-negotiable. ART urged both companies to accelerate improvements and maintain transparency with subscribers going forward.
