Algerian authorities have announced plans to expand mobile network coverage to an additional 4,500 locations across the country by 2027.
This commitment was disclosed by Sid Ali Zerrouki, the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications, during the inauguration of infrastructure security upgrades at the Space Telecommunications Centre, part of Algeria Telecom Satellite (ATS).
This initiative marks the second phase of a nationwide project aimed at providing comprehensive mobile coverage, with a particular focus on rural communities and villages with populations ranging from 500 to 2,000 residents. Zerrouki explained that the first phase successfully covered 1,400 areas, deploying 1,200 base stations — of which 800 have already been installed — laying the groundwork for further expansion.
The Algerian government has been actively working to enhance telecommunications infrastructure. In August, authorities directed mobile operators to invest in connecting roads to their networks, ensuring better coverage and service quality. Earlier in May, they also encouraged the more effective use of the national satellite, Alcomsat-1, to improve internet access nationwide. Additionally, efforts to deploy fibre optic networks are ongoing, reflecting the country’s broader push to modernise its digital infrastructure.
These developments come amidst encouraging statistics from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), which reported that in 2023, mobile networks covered 98.5% of the population for 2G, 98.2% for 3G, and 90.4% for 4G services. Despite high coverage levels, mobile phone penetration reached 93%, while internet penetration stood at 76.9%.
However, experts highlight that widespread network coverage does not necessarily translate into widespread service adoption. The gap between coverage and usage underscores challenges such as access to compatible devices like smartphones and tablets, the affordability of internet services, and levels of digital literacy. The GSMA emphasises that these factors play a crucial role in determining whether populations fully benefit from the expanding telecommunications infrastructure.
