Tunisia’s Ministry of Communication Technologies has officially granted 5G licenses to telecom operators. Tunisie Télécom and Ooredoo Tunisie have met all technical and administrative criteria and are set to launch their 5G services by mid-February.
The approval follows a formal agreement signed between the Ministry and telecom representatives on November 30, 2024, in the presence of Prime Minister Kamel Madouri. This decision aligns with a structured roadmap established during a ministerial council in June 2024, which led to the formation of a specialized licensing committee.
Under the new framework, Tunisian operators will receive 5MHz Time Division Duplex (TDD) spectrum in the 700MHz band and 100MHz (TDD) in the 3.5GHz band. Additionally, they may apply for three blocks of 20MHz spectrum, with further 5G frequency allocations planned in subsequent phases. The licenses will be valid for 15 years.
Tunisia’s proactive strategy positions it ahead of regional counterparts Algeria and Morocco, which have yet to confirm their 5G deployment plans. The government spearheads various initiatives to support this digital transformation, including expanding high-speed fibre-optic connections to 4,000 schools to enhance access to online learning and scientific resources. Plans to upgrade undersea cable infrastructure are also in motion.
Ooredoo Tunisia has confirmed that it is in the final stages of rolling out nationwide 5G services in the coming days.
