Telecoms: ANRT launches call for competition for 5G in Morocco

 The National Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (ANRT) has officially launched the 5G licensing process in Morocco. Through the launch of a competitive bidding process, the authorities intend to usher in a new technological era for the Kingdom, as part of the implementation of the Morocco Digital 2030 strategy.

The objective is to provide the country with next-generation mobile communications infrastructure to support its digital transformation, bolster economic competitiveness, and improve access to digital services in all sectors, from industry to agriculture, including health, education, and transportation.

This competitive bidding process outlines the technical, financial, and regulatory requirements for establishing and operating 5G networks. It defines, in particular, the coverage obligations of operators across the country, quality of service requirements, technical conditions for infrastructure deployment, and the terms and conditions for evaluating bids, which will be analyzed through a transparent process resulting in a public report.

5G stands out for its ultra-fast transmission speed, low latency—essential for real-time applications—and its ability to handle a large number of simultaneous connections. It is particularly suited to critical uses in the fields of smart logistics, connected vehicles, remote healthcare, and precision agriculture.

Once the successful operators have been designated, the Specifications governing their obligations will be adopted by decree and published in the Official Gazette, establishing the definitive regulatory framework for this new phase.

By taking this decisive step, Morocco intends to position itself at the forefront of African nations in terms of mobile connectivity, while strengthening its economy's position in the digital age.