06 October 2021

Moov Africa – Gabon Telecom (GT) has unveiled plans for an investment programme of more than 10bn CFA francs (US$18m) to bring coverage to swathes of Gabon using 3G and 4G technology.

The operator’s cash injection will cover 141 villages as well as main roads throughout the country. GT said it aims to bring broadband to everyone and to reduce the digital divide between urban and rural areas.

All the country’s provinces should make it possible to offer voice and broadband internet services of up to 10 megabits per second per site to the populations involved. Some 600km of roads will also have the opportunity to benefit from voice and 4G internet services.

With regards to sustainability, solar power and lithium battery technology is likely to be involved in the rollout, which will take place between 2021 and 2022 and will involve 1,230 solar panels, 166 batteries and 141 villages.

The president of the regulatory council, Lin Mombo, has suggested that other telecommunications companies might consider following GT’s example. The company has apparently already begun a test phase between Bakoumba and Franceville via Moanda.

GT is the country’s largest operator by subscribers, currently serving 94% of the Gabonese population.