Senegal
3.5 Senegal Telecommunications
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Senegal Telecommunications 

Senegal has an excellent telecommunications infrastructure, which is digitized. Sonatel, Senegal’s main telecommunications operator continues to dominate the market. It was privatized in 1997 with France Telecom as the strategic partner. Liberalization of some services accompanied privatization. Three companies provide cellular telephone services, and there is a competitive Internet services market. As a result, there has been a boom of Internet-related activities and services and in cell phone usage. In 2012 , more than 94% of the  population has a mobile phone. These last few years have witnessed the spectacular growth of mobile telephony with 2 144 818 subscribers in 2012. In addition, cable, telex, fax and Internet services are available. Internet is accessible in cyber cafe all around Dakar and the major cities of the country. The internet user growth hit 84% in 2012 with 628 621 new user, most on them on 3G services.

Telephone Services

Is there an existing landline telephone network?

(Yes / No)

Yes

 

Does it allow international calls?

(Yes / No)

Yes

 

On average, number and length of downtime periods

n/a

Mobile phone providers (List)

Orange, Tigo, Expresso

Estimated availability and coverage

(Approximate percentage of national coverage)

n/a

Telecommunication Regulation

Senegal enjoys one of the most unrestricted media scene in the region. The constitution guarantees freedom of the news media and the independent media frequently criticize the government. In terms of ICT development, Senegal is probably the leading Francophone sub-Saharan African country. The office for implementing the ICT component of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) is located in the capital, Dakar.

The telecommunications sector in Senegal has recently undergone a complete restructuring as a result of the privatisation of the past national telecommunications operator. The new Telecommunications Act (December 2001) replaces the 1996 Telecommunications Act and institutes the Telecommunications Regulation Agency (Agence de Régulation des Télécommunications - ART) as the main player in formulating and supervising Senegalese ICT policies. The Audiovisual Supreme Council (Haut Conseil de l’Audiovisuel - HCA) is an independent authority created in 1998 to control all audiovisual media. Internet content falls within the scope of the HCA but this body does not have a regulatory role.

The functions of the HCA are to guarantee the independence and freedom of information and communication media; to ensure free and healthy competition in the sector; and to set rules relating to producing, programming and broadcasting that regulate audiovisual transmissions. Before 2001, the national operator, Sonatel, played a pivotal role in the emergence of the ICT sector in Senegal by concurrently fulfilling access provision, regulatory, entrepreneurial and commercial functions. Since its privatisation and the creation of ART, a clear distinction has been established between public and regulatory functions, and private and operational functions.

Regulations

Regulations on usage or import of:

Yes / No

Regulating Authority

Satellite

Yes

ARTP

HF Radio

Yes

ARTP

UHF/VHF/HF radio: handheld, base and mobile

Yes

ARTP

UHF/VHF repeaters

Yes

ARTP

GPS

n/a

n/a

VSAT

Yes

ARTP

Individual Network Operator Licenses Required

n/a

Frequency Licenses Required

n/a

A licence is needed to use those apparels. The licence is awarded by the « Agence de Régulation des Télécommunications et des Postes », ARTP. To apply for UHF/VHF/HF/VSAT licenses contact ARTP Sénégal, Route des Almadies – Angle Djoulikaye, Dakar +221 33 869 03 69

Existing Humanitarian Telecoms Systems

Please see the attached document for additional information on Existing Humanitarian Telecoms Systems in SenegalSenegal Existing Humanitarian Telecoms Systems Additional Information

Note: The information provided in the attached document, which has been taken from the old LCA, does not match the structure of the new LCA and is therefore provided separately.

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