CAMTEL gets big gov’t support to boost optical fibre network.

The infrastructure was symbolically handed over to the state-run telecoms company, Monday October 30 in Yaounde. 

It was the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications, Minette Libom Li Likeng, who handed the infrastructure to officials of CAMTEL.

The handing over ceremony took place in the presence of the Minister of State Property, Surveys and Land Tenure, Henri Ayebe Ayissi. 

The ceremony was attended amongst others by the General Manager of the Cameroon Telecommunications, CAMTEL; representatives of the National Electricity Transportation Corporation, SONATREL; the Telecommunications Regulatory Board, ART; Energy of Cameroon, ENEO; Cameroon Radio Television, CRTV; MTN and Orange Cameroun.

While handing over the infrastructure, the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications, Minette Libom Li Likeng, said: “This handing over ceremony is in line with the implementation of government’s programme to densify the fibre optic infrastructure network in our country. It is in line with the most esteemed instructions of the Head of State, relating to the development of electronic communications services for the benefit of all".

The Minister explained that the infrastructure “we are entrusting…to the incumbent telecommunications operator, is an electronic 812 kilometers of ninety-six (96) strand fiber optic cable ninety-six (96) strands of fiber optic cable, comprising forty-eight (48) G652-D standard strands and forty-eight (48) G656 strands”.

She said the network, which crosses the Regions of South, Centre, Littoral, West and North West, has eighteen 88 exit points, nine of which have already been extended to the CAMTEL transmission network.

She recalled that 15 years ago, former AES SONEL, undertook the commitment to build a genuine telecommunications infrastructure, in order to effectively manage the requirements of its power network, including the modernisation of its information and control system.

CAMTEL General Manger, Judith Achidi, speaking to reporters as Minister Libom Li Likeng looks on

She stated that: “There's no denying the fact that fiber optics are the foundation of the revolution that is transforming our country. It is the thread that connects our communities, businesses and businesses and institutions, providing a fast and reliable connectivity that is essential to economic growth, education, health, governance and the quality of life of our citizens. This is why investment in the expansion and fiber optic networks is crucial to the future of our country”.

The minister said by offering ultra-fast internet speeds and minimal latency, fibre optics opens the door to new possibilities; whether for telecommuting, e-commerce, telemedicine, distance education and the development of advanced technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and virtual reality.

“…fiber optics help reduce the digital divide by providing equitable access to information and online services, regardless of location. This fosters social and economic inclusion, while also innovation and the competitiveness of our businesses on the international stage,” the minister added.

Enter CAMTEL General Manager

Meanwhile, speaking during the ceremony, the General Manager of CAMTEL, Judith Yah Sunday Epse Achidi,saluted the efforts of government in boosting the country’s telecommunications sector.

She described the year 2023 as a symbolic year for Cameroon Telecommunications, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary. The celebration, she said, offers the company the opportunity to take stock, retrospect on the different founding levers of its vision and its objectives, in accordance with the policy driven by the Government of the Republic, which is that of safeguarding and preserving the country’s infrastructure.

CAMTEL General Manager signing the deal to officially receive fibre optic infrastructure 

“We are therefore happy with the outcome of this process, which will undoubtedly contribute to further stabilising the flow and connectivity of CAMTEL’s metadata, for the greatest satisfaction of our customers on the national triangle as well as on an international scale, in line with the theme of the celebration of CAMTEL's 25th anniversary: ​​Camtel, Instrument of Sovereignty At The Heart Of The Digital Economy,” she continued.

The handing over of the 78-strand fibre optic cable to CAMTEL, the operator responsible for managing on behalf of the State, the national fibre optic backbone, and sole holder of a concession agreement on the transport segment, it should be said, is the culmination of a seven-year long process.

It began on September 19, 2016, with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, between the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, the Ministry of Water and Energy and AES-SONEL (now ENEO), which paved the way for subsequent stages of the handover process.

Other operational and planned fibre optic cables have been identified on the South, East and North interconnected networks.