Algeria’s Ministry of Post and Telecommunications in collaboration with the Postal and Electronic Communications Regulatory Authority (ARPCE) has launched a state-funded competitive tender to bring mobile network coverage and internet access to 3,000 underserved, low-density communities across the country.
Algeria’s telecom regulator has launched a major competitive bidding process aimed at expanding mobile network coverage to 3,000 remote and sparsely populated communities across the nation.
The initiative which was announced by the Postal and Electronic Communications Regulatory Authority (ARPCE), targets low-density areas particularly localities with fewer than 2,000 residents where private network deployment has traditionally lagged. By stepping in with state-backed universal service frameworks, the government intends to bridge the digital gap between urban centers and rural territories.
Commercial mobile operators often prioritize heavily populated urban centers where infrastructure investments yield quick returns. Remote villages and smaller settlements frequently miss out on modern connectivity because low user numbers make tower construction financially difficult to justify.
To solve this imbalance, the Algerian government is relying on its universal electronic communications service mandate. This mechanism allows the state to fund network expansion in commercially quiet regions ensuring that geographic location does not restrict access to essential mobile and internet services.
Under the tender rules, participating telecom operators which include major domestic players like Mobilis, Djezzy and Ooredoo are invited to submit network deployment plans for the designated zones. Selected providers will be required to build out infrastructure and launch active services within a maximum period of 18 months from the contract award.
The project builds upon a previous, smaller initiative that successfully brought 4G coverage to 1,400 localities nationwide. By scaling up to 3,000 additional areas, the government aims to establish a consistent baseline of connectivity across every administrative division in the country.
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Beyond improving everyday phone calls and messaging, expanding rural mobile coverage plays a direct role in economic inclusion. Reliable mobile internet gives rural residents access to essential online services, including digital banking platforms, remote education tools and electronic government portals.
As public and private sectors increasingly move administrative processes online, expanding the physical network ensures that citizens in remote communities can fully participate in Algeria’s growing digital economy.
