Sonatel slapped by regulator for repeated network outages

Senegal’s incumbent fixed and mobile operator Sonatel has received an official warning from industry watchdog L’Autorite de Regulation des Telecoms et des Postes (ARTP) over a string of network outages that caused major service disruptions last month. On 30 September ARTP rapped the telco over repeated network failures on 15, 18 and 26 September. Sonatel, which is 51%-owned by Orange Group, experienced signal failures across its mobile system that prompted a wave of complaints from customers. ARTP has officially reminded the operator of its contractual obligations under Articles 7, 26 and 139 of Law No. 2011-01 of 24 February 2011 relating to Senegal’s telecommunications code, which includes the obligation to ensure continuity of operation of networks and services ‘operating continuously, round the clock, including weekends and holidays’. Sonatel could face fines if it fails to redress the problems on its network.