Comoros Telecom Operator Base Station Cooperation

How did the Comoros project address telecoms?

The Comoros project addressed telecoms from several angles. The World Bank and IFC advised the government on liberalizing the sector, including by supporting development of the 2014 Communications Act.

Did Comoros get a second telecom license?

Instead, in 2015, with World Bank support, the Comoros’ telecoms regulator (ANRTIC) held an international tender for a second telecoms license. This attracted African bidders Telecom Malagasy S.A. and Mauritius Telecom, and international firms, including France’s SFR.

Does Comoros have a telecom monopoly?

In 2013, Comoros was one of the few countries worldwide with a telecoms monopoly. The state-owned enterprise, Comores Télécoms, charged customers a high price but provided poor services. Consequently, only 40 percent of the country’s 800,000 people had mobile service, and less than 1 percent had broadband internet.

What did the Union of the Comoros do?

The Union of the Comoros, an archipelago off Africa’s east coast with high levels of poverty, sought to improve communications, trade, and economic opportunities by expanding mobile communications and internet services.

What has Telma Comores done?

This has included advising on legal and regulatory reforms, the privatization of Comores Télécoms, and an international tender for a second telecoms license; co-financing an undersea cable; stimulating demand by subsidizing internet connectivity; and lending Telma Comores €13 million so that the company can expand its network nationwide.

Why did IFC loan Telma Comores €13 million?

The company launched its operations in 2016, and within a year had gained a quarter of the telecoms market. So that Telma Comores can extend its network nationwide, in January 2019, IFC loaned the company €13 million to support its expansion program.