Algeria and Tunisia have committed to ending roaming surcharges.

At the 3rd joint Technical Committee for Cooperation in Post and ICT, held recently in Algiers, Houda-Imane Feraoun, Algeria's Minister of Post and ICT, said regulatory authorities of both countries will ensure their trade is transparent to customers traveling on both sides of the border - without having to pay more fees for roaming and without being forced to make any changes on their phones.

Her Tunisian counterpart, Maarouf Anwar said both countries have a common will to lift roaming charges. "This will be achieved by establishing the One Network Area to allow citizens on both sides of the border to feel at home."

Details of the One Network Area will be dealt with by regulators and operators in both countries, while a proposed date for free roaming to take effect is expected only once all parties agree to the terms.

According to official figures, about 2.5 million Algerians visit Tunisia annually, while about 500,000 Tunisians visit Algeria every year.

Algeria Telecom investment

Feraoun has announced plans of the government-owned Algeria Telecom Group to invest 207-billion Algerian dinars (about US$ 1.7 billion) in its operations in 2019.

According to the government the company will embark on several major initiatives including a 'clean up' of the fibre network in Algiers, an investment in Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH), the finalisation of new submarine cables, and acquisition of satellite equipment.

From 2014 to 2018, Algerian Telecom invested 294-billion dinars (about US$2.5-billion) in all its subsidiaries: Mobilis, Algeria Telecom, ATS for the acquisition of equipment to improve services.