Tunisia’s 5G timetable unveiled

Details: Vaughan O'Grady; Category: Regulation; 21 March 2024; 13913 views

A roadmap for a 5G launch and the system for granting licenses and marketing the service were announced by Tunisa’s Minister of Communication Technologies Nizar Ben Neji earlier this week.

The minister said that work had been carried out on the technical preparation for the transition from 4G to 5G. The plan is to offer Tunisians 5G internet services by the end of 2024, although whether this is to be countrywide or in only a few areas is not clear.

The Tunis Afrique Press agency says that spectrum auction process is expected to take place between July and August of this year. Licenses will be awarded in September. 5G marketing is likely to be carried out soon after – in November.

A sectoral committee representing the National Telecommunications Authority (INTT) and the National Frequency Agency (ANF) was created in May 2023 to prepare for the transition. The ministry claims it has consultated with relevant stakeholders with experience in other countries.

A representative of the ITT explained that there are 16 million SIM cards in Tunisia, and that Tunisians' data consumption increased fivefold between 2016 and 2023, from 600,000 to 1.7 million.

About 90.8% of Tunisians use mobile phones, 65% own smartphones, 72% use fixed internet, and 88% are active on social media, figures that are said to underline the need for 5G rollout. The country has an estimated population of 11.7 million.