Telecoms: Economic nonsense in infrastructure
Telecoms operators are committing to massive investment in network infrastructure. The challenge is to accelerate the deployment of broadband and very high-speed networks, as well as the deployment of fiber optics, almost everywhere in Morocco, including in not very profitable areas. In any case, this is the promise that the three operators (Maroc Telecom, Orange, and Inwi) are making through press communiqués, except that each carrier claims to invest alone, in silo, in its network to guarantee “seamless service”.
The question is the following: are the different programs enough to give fiber optics a boost? The answer is no, according to the National Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (ANRT). “The goals of deploying broadband and very high-speed access networks may not be met without significant investment, which can and must be rationalized by effective infrastructure sharing”, specifies the 2019 guidance note. The three operators undertake to invest each one separately in ambitious programs with billions of MAD. Orange has announced 5.7 billion MAD over 3 years (by 2025) in order to continue developing its telecoms infrastructure, and strengthening the fixed and mobile network, as well as fiber… For the incumbent operator, Maroc Telecom, the total amount is more substantial. It amounts to 16 billion MAD by 2025. Finally, Inwi is committed to disbursing some 7 billion MAD. In the end, the three operators resolved to mobilize around 30 billion MAD between 2022 and 2025 but in a non-pooled and therefore non-shared network. “It’s economic nonsense”, said Khalid Ziani , IT & telecoms expert. “Which demonstrates the magnitude of the economies of scale to be achieved in the event that Morocco introduces a new generation of operators specializing in infrastructure”, insists the expert. According to this analyst, the decision to invest such substantial amounts suggests that the three carriers do not intend to use a telecom infrastructure player specializing in this deployment. However, “it is the only solution which allows the pooling of infrastructures, the reduction of costs – up to 3 times cheaper – and above all the ordering of infrastructure works by local authorities”. Such a scenario implies that roads, communities, and cities will experience less inconvenience and damage, since the digging will be done only once, for a shared network, not by the telecom operators themselves but by a specialized operator for whom implementation is the core business.
The ANRT agency and the Moroccan government must, according to the expert, quickly focus on the regulatory changes to be made to introduce a new model with infrastructure operators. This is what will make it possible to split the licenses allocated to current operators into “telecom services operator” and “telecom infrastructure operator” licenses.
Amin RBOUB
