Cameroon has invested over $45 million in fiber optic infrastructure, but the network remains underutilized and primarily serves as backhaul for mobile operators rather than direct consumer access.

Fiber Infrastructure and Investment

Cameroon has invested between $45.2 million and $54.2 million in fiber optic infrastructure, with a national network spanning 15,812 km managed by the state-owned operator Camtel . Despite this investment, the infrastructure is largely underutilized, and mobile operators like MTN and Orange rely on it solely for backhaul, which routes traffic between mobile antennas and central network nodes . Operators are not authorized to provide fiber directly to subscribers, making them dependent on Camtel's monopoly .

Service Quality and Challenges

The quality of mobile services in Cameroon has been declining, with frequent fiber outages, interrupted calls, unstable browsing, and reduced speeds reported . The Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (ART) has highlighted the need for better coordination among stakeholders and more favorable pricing to make fiber access economically sustainable for mobile networks . Financial difficulties at Camtel further exacerbate network instability .

Global and Regional Ranking

Cameroon ranks 93rd out of 93 countries in the Global Fiber Development Index, scoring only 4 out of 100, reflecting low household adoption and limited fiber-to-business coverage . Although Cameroon is connected to five submarine cables (SAT3, WACS, SAIL, NCSCS), less than a third of their capacity is utilized . The country falls into a category of emerging markets with broadband infrastructure in place but low adoption, suggesting that hybrid approaches combining fiber with alternative technologies like fixed wireless could improve coverage .

Mobile Broadband Context

Despite the underutilization of fiber, mobile broadband penetration has grown, doubling from 18% to 39% between 2018 and 2022, partially compensating for weaknesses in the fixed network . Mobile operators continue to invest in network upgrades, including preparations for 5G deployment, but the fiber network's instability remains a critical bottleneck .

Outlook

To improve mobile fiber optic performance in Cameroon, key steps include:

• Enhancing network maintenance and reducing outages
• Promoting resource pooling and economic efficiency among operators
• Expanding fiber coverage while integrating alternative technologies like fixed wireless
• Addressing Camtel's financial and operational challenges to ensure reliable backhaul Overall, while Cameroon has substantial fiber infrastructure, its impact on mobile service quality and household connectivity remains limited, highlighting the need for strategic management and broader adoption initiatives.