05 September 2024
The Mauritanian Ministry of Digital Transformation and Modernization of Administration is threatening to impose heavy sanctions on the country's telecom operators.
In addition to a three-month reduction in current licenses, the financial penalties incurred are 127,034,165 ouguiyas for Mattel, 313,202,551 ouguiyas for Mauritel and 100,251,788 ouguiyas for Chinguitel.
These threats of sanctions follow a monitoring mission that took place between 18 December 2023 and 24 January 2024. The Mauritanian authorities noted at its conclusion that "the quality of the services provided by electronic communications operators to their users is clearly below the standards in force, in several cities, localities and roads."
This initiative is part of the 2022-2025 Digital Transformation Agenda launched in June 2022 by the supervisory ministry. In the document, the quality of telecom network services as well as the coverage of 4G mobile networks were clearly identified as the country's weaknesses in digital matters.
The National Regulatory Council (NRC) has given Mattel, Mauritel and Chinguitel until 22 September to remedy the shortcomings recorded during the last inspection and invites them to make the necessary investments to reach the specified thresholds.
