Morocco is preparing for a new digital revolution with the introduction of 5G, the fifth generation of telecommunications. This deployment is planned for major sporting events to come, such as the African Football Nations Cup (CAN-2025) and the 2030 World Cup. The Minister Delegate to the Head of Government, in charge of the Digital Transition and the Reform of the Administration, Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, said that the objective is to reach 25 % of the population by 2026 and 70 % Prioritizing the cities that will host the 2030 World Cup matches.
Morocco thus takes an important step in the modernization of its digital infrastructure. The National Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (ANRT) is currently preparing to launch a call for tenders for the award of 5G licenses, a crucial step before the deployment of this technology. The country aims to cover a large part of the population by the end of the decade, by putting particular emphasis on the host areas of international competitions.
Read also | 5G: Morocco Telecom and Inwi announce a strategic partnership
During an intervention in front of the House of Representatives, Minister Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni stressed that 5G was essential to guarantee a fluid media dissemination and a stable technological infrastructure, in accordance with the requirements of FIFA for major sporting events to come.
Operators ready for the launch of 5G
The three main Moroccan operators – Morocco Telecom, Inwi and Orange Maroc – have already successfully carried out their pilot tests for 5G and are ready to deploy their own networks. However, operators await the publication of the specific methods of the ANRT to adapt their current 4G infrastructures and officially launch the new generation of mobile telephony.
The cost of licenses, a key issue
One of the major challenges remains the cost of 5G licenses, which could have a major impact on the profitability of operators’ investments. The latter have already spent nearly 2 billion dirhams on 4G licenses. If the cost of 5G licenses is deemed too high, this could slow down the commitment of operators, especially since the massive adoption of 5G by consumers and businesses remains uncertain.
Increased competition between operators
Once the licenses have been allocated, competition between operators will strengthen. Everyone will seek to stand out with the quality of their service, the coverage of their network and its pricing offers. For users, the arrival of 5G should lead to faster connections and improved services, but the financial accessibility of this technology could be problematic for part of the population.
-Read also | 5G: why the call for tenders is eagerly awaited
Opportunities for the Moroccan economy
The introduction of 5G in Morocco offers interesting perspectives for the country’s digital economy. This new technology could allow broader access to advanced services, such as 4K video, cloud computing and virtual reality. It could also stimulate the development of key sectors such as telemedicine, the Internet of Things (IoT) and smart cities.
However, the adoption of 5G could come up against certain obstacles, including expensive packages, which may widen access inequality. In addition, many smartphones currently in circulation are not compatible with 5G. According to Hamid Berdai, network development engineer and telecommunications expert, “current devices may require updates or be replaced by more recent models adapted to 5G”.
If these challenges are overcome, 5G may have a significant impact on the Moroccan economy. Studies have shown that an increase of 10 % in the penetration of mobile broadband could cause GDP growth ranging from 1 to 2.5 %.
An ambitious optical fiber blanket
The Moroccan government also plans to extend the coverage of optical fiber. By 2026, 6,300 public administrative structures will be equipped, and 5.6 million households should be connected by 2030. These initiatives are part of a national strategy aimed at improving the country’s digital infrastructure.
Government support for digital transformation
Minister Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni stressed that the development of digital services was a priority for the government, which actively supports operators through investment agreements. In 2023, investments in digital transformation exceeded 8.4 billion dirhams, illustrating the country’s commitment to modernize its telecommunications sector.
Ultimately, the arrival of 5G in Morocco is a major turning point for the country, which goes towards an ambitious digital transformation. However, several challenges remain to be met to guarantee a successful adoption of this technology by the general public and maximize its economic benefits.
