Cameroonians are still begging for the fluid and speedy calls and messages promised them with the coming of the 3G network.
Subscribers of the leading mobile telephone companies in Cameroon are disgruntled. They have expressed dissatisfaction at the “mediocre” services offered them in spite of the new digital switchover from 2G to 3G. When the two operators signed concession agreements with government recently, the promise was for an improved quality of services. Both operators were unanimous that the new network configuration was also ushering in sound call and message network besides impeccable mobile internet services.
However, the situation in terms of call quality seems to have witnessed little or no improvement. The old complaints on the persistence of network disturbances have stayed. Grievances like “the number you are calling is not available, try later” and many more abound. Sorelle, a Yaounde-based subscriber to one of the telephone operators says she is yet to witness any change in the quality of call and message services from her operator. Sorelle recalled a message received from her bank at midnight meanwhile the dispatch time was 11 a.m. “ I was embarrassed when the message signaled in, wondering how possible bank workers could still be doing in the office at late hours,” she said. There was no emergency in the message and a closer look revealed that the message was sent earlier in the day, Sorelle said. The worst of the complaints from subscribers is the fact that some messages even take days to deliver. Like Sorelle, Alain Blaise is yet to understand why Cameroonians, unlike their peers of other countries, are yet to enjoy the services they are paying for. Alain Blaise, seemingly annoyed, recounted how his business almost crumbled due to unstable call network. He had communicated with his business partner earlier but all attempts for them to seal the deal were proving futile. The reason was simple. The appointment venue had to be confirmed but all calls to the partner were unsuccessful. All I received as feedback was; “The number you are calling is not correct, try later.” “I called like 10 times but without succeeding,” he said. The businessman was left with no other option than taking off to meet his business partner. Complaints abound when calls end on air with the caller receiving a feedback of the phone ringing meanwhile the recipient notices no in-coming call. It is but normal to send a call that ends before the phone is positioned on the ear.
Operators Explain
On March 31, 2015, Cameroon Tribune got in touch with the two leading mobile telephone operators. While MTN Cameroon is still to communicate on the issue, an official from Orange Cameroun says that after checking and cross-checking their installations, it was revealed that all breakdown indicators were negative in all regions.
The sources however said their network was perturbed some days ago in the northern part of Cameroon but things have come to normal everything being equal. Currently, the operator feels that there is no major incident with their call or message network. The source stressed that the company has the capacity to measure in mega octets the quantity of network expected in each area and work on that basis to regulate its coverage network according to demand. They have however invited clients to always dial the company’s customer service to lodge their complaints. All measures, sources say, have been taken into consideration as projected to improve service quality.
On 11 March 2015 and 13 March 2015 when the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications signed 3G/4G and 3G+ concession agreements with MTN Cameroon and Orange Cameroun respectively, the urge was for the two telephone companies to offer quality services to Cameroonians. Minister Jean Pierre Biyiti bi Essam went as far as cautioning the Telecommunications Regulatory Agency, to watch out for the scrupulous respect of the terms of reference of the agreement. During the separate ceremonies, the General Managers of the two leading mobile telephone companies were unanimous that the 3G was ushering in impeccable call services.
However, the 2010 law on Electronic Communication in Cameroon warns erring operators of possible sanctions. They risk sanctions ranging from FCFA 100 to FCFA 200 million. Meanwhile, the Telecommunication Regulatory Board keeps warning operators of imminent sanctions if services offered to subscribers were continually poor. Erring operators have since 2009, received sanctions twice, yet customers still need more to be satisfied with service quality.
