(Ecofin Agency) - Cameroon’s public telecommunications company, Camtel, is leveraging the infrastructure of Camwater, the national water supplier, to enhance its service coverage across the country. On June 19, the two organizations signed a framework agreement for mutual infrastructure sharing.

"This collaboration involves providing conduits or pipes during civil engineering works to facilitate the installation of fiber optic cables or water pipelines. This optimizes investments and allows for quicker implementation of water and telecom services in various localities, including rural and remote areas," said Judith Yah Sunday, Camtel's General Manager.

This initiative is part of Camtel's effort to accelerate the expansion of its telecom network. In November 2023, the company acquired 812 km of fiber optic cable from the electricity provider Eneo Cameroon. Camtel plans to install an additional 3,500 km of fiber optic cable starting in 2024, especially in rural areas. The current length of its fiber optic network is 15,812 km.

The network expansion will enable Camtel to reach millions more people and meet the growing demand for high-speed connectivity. This move will also strengthen its position in the national telecom market, particularly in the mobile segment, where it competes with Orange, MTN, and Viettel.