Telecoms and IT

The telecoms market in Algeria has shown dynamic growth in recent years; as with many emerging markets, the mobile penetration rate has gone from zero to nearly 100% in less than 15 years and the market has demonstrated strong demand for new technologies. The long-awaited launch of 3G services in December 2013 has helped to develop new sources of growth in an increasingly saturated sector. The modernisation of sector regulation will be necessary in order to encourage further investment in this key market, which may provide the boost legislators need to restart work on the new ICT law.

The introduction of 3G mobile services in December 2013, followed in May 2014 by state-owned operator Algérie Telecom’s (AT) 4G fixed wireless data service, stand to significantly impact the IT sector in the near term, particularly in terms of consumption and demand. Private sector operators estimate that the IT sector contributes 1.3% of GDP, compared to 3.3% for the telecommunications sector. In the short term, AT will focus on deploying fibre-optic and wireless internet infrastructure, which will help to strengthen Algeria’s nascent digital economy.

This chapter contains an interview with Joseph Ged, CEO, Ooredoo; and a viewpoint from Mourad Nait, Country General Manager, Microsoft.