5G: The Very First Market Feedback

Five months already… Since November 7, 2025—the date of the effective commercial launch of 5G in Morocco—38% of the population is already covered, according to the ANRT. According to operators, around a hundred cities, villages, localities, airports, and ports are now served by this next-generation network. However, there is still significant potential for scaling up coverage across all regions. The target set by ANRT is to cover 25% of the Moroccan population by the end of 2026 at the latest. Ultimately, 70% of the population is expected to benefit from this technology by the end of 2030.
At this stage, according to operators, barely 15% of the population has 5G-compatible devices. In other words, around 7 million devices (smartphones, tablets, and other compatible equipment) actually use 5G on a daily basis. There are therefore still challenges in terms of adoption, usage development, and the growth of 5G subscriptions. According to Hendrik Kasteel: «This is a normal evolution, linked to the pace of device renewal and the gradual emergence of new uses. It is important to keep in mind that 5G adoption happens progressively. Today, nearly 15% of the population has compatible devices.»
During a recent visit (April 8 in Casablanca), Christel Heydemann told L’Economiste that there is a real issue regarding access to 5G-compatible devices: «5G adoption is a recurring issue we have observed across several geographies, including European countries where we deployed the technology five years ago. We are therefore at a stage where device penetration is gradually increasing. But one thing is certain: 5G is not really a major driver on the mobile (consumer) side. The real challenges lie more in B2B, enterprises, and industrial efficiency…»
In practical terms, the key stakes of the technology lie more in industrial efficiency, B2B, Industry 4.0, autonomous vehicles, and smart homes. “5G is first and foremost deployed for issues related to industrial efficiency,” insists Christel Heydemann. That said, there is still room for improvement in terms of customer acquisition and access to 5G-compatible devices. Especially as the general trend is toward declining costs and prices for such smartphones. The rise of “made in China” devices has significantly reduced prices over the past two years. According to telecom expert Ahmed Khaouja, the real economic impact of 5G will not necessarily be visible in the short or medium term. The current challenge lies in building a compatible industrial ecosystem to fully leverage the benefits of this new technology. He adds: «The success of this economic model depends on the relevance of operators’ offerings, network coverage, geographic reach, equipment, antennas, and infrastructure…» Moreover, in a country like Morocco, it will take around five years (by 2030) to reach the maturity phase of full 5G—also referred to as «real 5G,» according to experts from Orange. This is the same trajectory observed in several European countries (notably France), which deployed the technology in 2020 and are only now transitioning to full, «real» 5G.
Amine RBOUB