The communications authorities of the Republic of Congo and Angola are embarking on a collaborative effort to regulate the radio frequency spectrum along their shared 231km border. This initiative, spearheaded by the Republic of Congo’s Postal and Electronic Communications Regulatory Agency (ARPCE) and the Angolan Institute of Communications (INACOM), marks a significant step towards improving connectivity and communication services in the region.
During a recent joint meeting held in Pointe-Noire, technical experts from both regulatory bodies and telecom representatives from companies such as MTN, Airtel, Congo Telecom, and Unitel convened to finalise a frequency coordination agreement. This agreement aims to harmonise the use of radio spectrum in border areas, thereby mitigating cross-border interference that can disrupt telecommunications quality for users in both nations.
ARPCE shared that the collaboration focuses on facilitating reliable and efficient connectivity across the border. The agreement outlines coordination parameters for seven frequency bands spanning from 700MHz to 3500MHz and includes essential provisions to regulate coverage, prohibit omnidirectional antennas near the border, and dismantle unauthorised points of sale.
Telecom operators will be notified of these provisions within 30 days, and the implementation deadline is 60 days after notification.
This accord aligns with ARPCE’s broader regional strategy for spectrum coordination. It builds on previous bilateral agreements with the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (ARPTC) in 2021 and Gabon’s Electronic Communications and Postal Regulatory Authority (ARCEP) in 2023.
The collaboration reflects a trend in nations forming agreements to enhance connectivity, particularly for underserved communities. Recently, Liberia and Sierra Leone launched the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) free roaming initiative to reduce mobile roaming costs across their borders.
Morocco’s National Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (ANRT) has also been active in North Africa, recently granting 5G licenses to Maroc Telecom, Inwi, and Orange in a competitive bidding process. Algeria’s Algérie Télécom and Italy’s Sparkle also signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a new subsea cable linking the two countries.
Despite these advancements, regulatory bodies have also taken strict measures against telecom companies for network failures. For instance, in July 2025, the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) ordered Airtel to compensate customers due to a significant network outage. Similarly, Airtel Chad faced a hefty fine of US$8.3 million in August 2023 for poor service quality.
Overall, this cross-border cooperation between Congo and Angola demonstrates a commitment to enhancing communication service delivery while addressing challenges faced by the telecom sector in the region.
