ARTP wants 4G by 1Q16; sets January deadline for applications

The Regulatory Authority for Telecommunications and Post (L’Autorite de Regulation des Telecoms et des Postes, ARTP) in Senegal wants 4G to be a reality in the first quarter of 2016, and to that end has set an 18 January deadline for companies interested in obtaining a commercial operating licence. Director General of the ARTP, Abdou Karim Sall, confirmed the development, noting that under the terms and conditions of the awards operators will have to deliver 4G coverage to at least 65% of the population by 2021, rising to 85% by 2026. The city of Dakar and all regional capitals should be fully covered within five years, while all nine major highways of the country must be served within ten years. The ARTP official, however, declined to provide any details on minimum reserve fees for the concessions or the amount the government hopes to raise from the process. Agence Ecofin quotes Mr Sall as saying: ‘The telecommunications sector generated nearly 10% of GDP in 2014, and is one of our most dynamic service sectors and, indirectly, is a major sector of the economy of Senegal – and growing strongly.’ As such, the state sees the industry as a key driver of wider economic growth.