Controversy over optical fibre management

Management of optical fibre in Cameroon is at the centre of a big controversy, following the government's decision to pay 14 billion CFA francs for the submarine cable Africa Cable System (WACS) and for the purchase of a landing station constructed in Limbe in the South West by the South African firm, Mobil Telephon Network (MTN).

The controversy is related to the fact that the purchase of WACS by the state has led to entrust its management to the Cameroon Telecommunications (CAMTEL), regardless of the statutory provisions establishing a specialized company for the sector of transport of telecommunications.

Since 2009, an established entity, the International Telecommunications Company of Cameroon (SITELCAM) was meant to manage this component at the expense of the public operator CAMTEL but its opponents said they have 'found its limits "in the management of the optical fibre.

Minister of Posts and Telecommunications Jean Pierre Biyitti Bi Essam, explained that negotiations began on one hand, with the WACS consortium for the affiliation of Cameroon to the WACS cable system, and on the other hand, with MTN Cameroon for the purchase of the landing station in Limbe.

These negotiations have been concluded “with firstly, the payment for the membership to the WACS and other rights of an amount of 12 billion CFA francs, secondly of a contract signing for the purchase of the landing station in Limbe, for a cost 2 billion CFA francs," he said.