Nexttel's exclusive 3G deal to end in December

The third mobile operator Nexttel will operate the 3G technology just for three months instead of two years, due to the delay in the launch of its activities.

The exclusivity of the 3G to Viettel, which operates in Cameroon under the trademark Nexttel will be terminated December 14, 2014. The Minister of posts and telecommunications, Jean-Pierre Biyiti Bi Essam, mentioned this on the national public radio, during the programme "Dimanche midi"...

Viettel Cameroon had acquired the third licence for mobile telephony with exclusivity on the 3G for two years, initially from December 14, 2012 to December 14, 2014. The company will therefore operate this technology just over a period of three months given that its activities were officially launched on September 18.

The exclusivity granted to Viettel was intended to give him 'a few decisive competitive advantages' facing operators installed in Cameroon for 15 years, said the Minister during his speech.

Although Nexttel was not used during the two years agreed, there will be no new delay, noted Minpostel. "They encountered problems of implementation of the network like; they had problems of internal conflicts; they had a whole bunch of problems.

But we are not accountable for the problems they had. They had stated that “In one year, we will set up the network and after this phase, operate exclusively 3G for one year. We granted during a given time an advantage of competitiveness to Nexttel. This benefit ends December 14, 2014," noted Jean-Pierre Biyiti Bi Essam, who mentioned in the same wake that the licences of other operators are being renegotiated for this 3G.