MTN Cameroon has reassured the country it will ensure network performance to optimise coverage in sites selected to host the TotalEnergies 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2021) tournament in January and February 2022.

The 24-team competition will be played in the cities of Douala, Yaounde, Bafoussam, Garoua, Limbe and Buea.

Corporate Communications Manager Massey Njiti-Bongang confirmed the company’s position with ITWeb Africa and said: “Over the last three financial years, MTN Cameroon has invested close to FCFA 100-billion in its network infrastructure to further expand its coverage and improve its quality. Almost FCFA 38-billion has already been invested in the current fiscal year 2021 alone.”

The telco is looking to extend its network in rural areas and plans to install 200 VSAT sites to several remote locations by the end of 2022.

“Forty-eight new localities have been covered over the last two months thanks to our innovative rural telephony solution which respects the environment and contributes in the reduction of carbon emissions within the framework of Project Zero which is inscribed in our Ambition 2025 strategy,” said Njiti-Bongang.

The operator is also continuing with repairs and upgrades of its base stations, many of which have been vandalised – particularly in the North West, South West and far North.

In the troubled English-speaking North West and South West regions, the telco had over 206 network transmission sites destroyed as fighting between government troops and armed separatists heightened.

The Cameroon Employers’ Union (GICAM) said the long-drawn conflict had taken a toll on telcos “with the systematic destruction of antennas, transmission sites and a geometric fall in turnover”.

MTN Cameroon wants to maintain its leadership position in the market ahead of rivals Orange Cameroun, Nexttel and Camtel by implementing a digital tool that analyses subscriber performance –first of its kind in Cameroon.

According to Massey, this proactive innovation will enable MTN Cameroon to receive precise information on the difficulties experienced on the network by any customer in order to provide an immediate solution.

The telco has announced significant investments in Mobile Money (MoMo) security and interconnection to banks. Meanwhile, it has pledged to continue promoting African social media content via enhancements of the AYOBA platform.