(Ecofin Agency) - Tunisia has taken another step toward launching fifth-generation (5G) mobile technology. On September 23, the country’s three main telecom operators—Tunisie Telecom, Orange, and Ooredoo—submitted their bids to the Ministry of Communication Technologies in response to a tender issued on June 28.

The bids were initially approved by the committee overseeing the preliminary stages of the licensing process. The next step will involve reviewing the technical and financial aspects of the bids, a process expected to be completed in the next three weeks. After that, the official 5G licenses will be granted.

According to the Tunisian government, the 5G rollout is part of a broader strategy to improve the country’s digital infrastructure. The goal is to provide high-speed internet access nationwide. The government also aims to speed up the digitalization of public services, enhance cybersecurity, ensure digital sovereignty, and build trust in digital services, all critical for Tunisia’s digital transformation.

However, the adoption of 5G in Tunisia may face challenges due to limited access to compatible smartphones. As of December 31, 2023, Tunisia had 9.09 million smartphones connected to telecom networks out of 12.4 million total devices. While this represents a 73% penetration rate, only 652,000 of these smartphones are 5G-compatible. By comparison, 4G is far more widespread, with 7.7 million compatible devices.