Competition on the mobile telephone market is relatively scares with two major companies dominating the market MTN and AIRTEL while AZUR and CONGO TELECOM have a marginal role. The rates are relatively high compared to other African countries.

No restrictions are applied for registering SIM cards, a government issued document is required for nationals, while a passport is required for internationals.

For more information on telecoms contacts, please see the following link: 4.1 Republic of the Congo Government Contact List.

Telecommunications Regulations

The Congolese Act of 25 November 2009 created a new telecommunications and postal regulatory authority in Congo (Brazzaville), called L’Agence de régulation des postes et des communications électroniques (ARPCE — The Congolese Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Agency). The ARPCE is a Public Administrative Authority that benefits from legal personality, and budgetary authority, because it is financed by a tax on companies operating in the regulated sectors. It is subject to oversight by the Ministry in charge of Postal Services and Telecommunications. In support of its general mission of postal and telecommunications regulation, the ARPCE benefits from the powers to emit instructions and administrative rules and regulations, the power to impose sanctions, the power to control postal and telecommunications networks, according to the law as it stands.

Existing Humanitarian Telecoms Systems

There is a UN shared HF and VHF radio communications system operated by UNDSS who is based at UNDP compound in Brazzaville.

UN staff must report to UNDSS when leaving their respective duty stations, radio check is regularly performed and increased in frequency based on the security current level.

Other UN Agencies do have their own communications system such as Thurayas satellite phones for internal use.

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

The main internet providers in the Republic of the Congo are AMC, WIFLY, MTN, AIRTEL and CONGO TELECOM of which the latter is state owned and is the only optic fibre provider in the country. Currently, most of the UN agencies are independent but can contract through private companies. Most of the businesses are connected through private providers or the state-owned Congo telecom, connections in general are reliable. Connection breakdowns can occur. In the past breakdowns have been caused by the rupture of a submarine cable and by the demand of the government. The average length of the breakdowns was one week.

Mobile Network Operators (MNOs)

The main companies of the Republic of the Congo are MTN, AIRTEL, AZUR and the state-owned CONGO TELECOM. The four main Companies all together guarantee a coverage of about 80 percent of the national territory, with different strength and coverage depending on the region.

The regulatory authority in Congo (Brazzaville) is L’Agence de régulation des postes et des communications électroniques (ARPCE — The Congolese Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Agency)

For information on MNOs please visit the GSM Association website.

Disclaimer: Inclusion of company information in the LCA does not imply any business relationship between the supplier and WFP / Logistics Cluster, and is used solely as a determinant of services, and capacities.

Please note: WFP / Logistics Cluster maintain complete impartiality and are not in a position to endorse, comment on any company's suitability as a reputable service provider.