(Ecofin Agency) - The Algerian government is preparing to renew the satellite telecom licenses for Algeria Telecom Satellite (ATS) and Optimum Telecom Algeria (Djezzy). These licenses, originally signed on September 21, 2019, are set to expire on September 21 this year, after five years of validity. On September 4, the government reviewed two executive decree projects to renew these licenses.

The goal is to ensure the continuity of communication services and improve the technical and commercial offerings for satellite internet access and broadband data transmission, benefiting individuals and businesses.

Since the shutdown of Divona Algeria in 2019, ATS and Djezzy have been the only companies authorized to provide satellite telecom services in the country. These licenses, first issued in 2014, were renewed in 2019 for another five years.

The renewal will allow the two operators to continue offering satellite telecom services in hard-to-reach areas. According to a 2022 report from satellite operator Intelsat, “Satellite connectivity is the only viable option for rural areas, given the challenging geography, such as mountains, dense forests, and large bodies of water.”