Cameroon Telecommunications (Camtel) has partnered with MTN Cameroon in a network infrastructure sharing deal.

Judith Yah Sunday, General Manager of Camtel, and Stephen Blewett, CEO of MTN Cameroon signed a MoU on 28 September.

As a result of the deal, Camtel subscribers can remain connected to telecommunications services by switching to MTN’s network in areas not covered by the state telco’s network.

According to a joint statement released by the companies: “This project will allow Camtel subscribers to switch automatically to the partner network and continue to enjoy, using their Camtel SIM cards, services such as sending and receiving national and international SMS, sending and receiving national and international calls, and internet access.”

While Camtel’s network covers mostly major cities and towns across the country, MTN Cameroon boast of 2G, 3G and 4G networks which respectively cover 97.35%, 87.58% and 60% of the country’s population. 

MTN has also invested heavily in its network infrastructure to cover highways and sites considered as priority and strategic in its concession agreement.

Stephen Blewett, CEO of MTN Cameroon, said: “This is yet another act that demonstrates MTN’s commitment to contribute to the development of the telecommunications sector in Cameroon. We are thus launching national roaming, to ensure that all Cameroonians with a SIM card can remain reachable throughout the country.”

Yah Sunday added: “Our strategy of presence and densification throughout the country will be based among other things on local roaming through the network of our partner MTN in areas where the Camtel network is not yet available in order to provide Camtel subscribers with quality service.”

The partnership is a first for Camtel and MTN within Cameroon and the central African sub-region.