14 April 2021

Algeria’s Post and Telecommunications Minister Brahim Boumzar has said fifth generation mobile technology, or 5G, is not among his department’s immediate priorities. 

In an interview with Alger Channel 3 radio on Sunday (March 14), he said the ministry is currently focused on providing good 4G to Algerians.

“We work pragmatically. Our current facilities are 5G Ready. When the time is right, we will launch 5G,” he said. “When did we launch 4G? Between 3G and 4G there hasn’t been a long time. Operators should also be able to amortise their investments. For the moment the main thing is to offer a respectable flow to our citizens. First, we have to offer good 4G and when the time is right we can move on to other generations.”

Following the launch of 3G in 2013, Algerians started accessing 4G three years later. However, in 2021 national 4G coverage is still disappointing. Consumers have complained about the poor quality of service. Operators Mobilis, Djezzy and Ooredoo were also fined in September 2020 for their part in failing to reach certain standards.

Boumzar refuses to embark on a technological race that will not benefit consumers. He said he fears that a switch to 5G, while 4G coverage remains weak, will accentuate the digital divide in the country and undermine the government’s ambitions for transformation 2.0.