Morocco Accelerates 5G Rollout for 2025 Africa Cup and 2030 World Cup

During an intervention before the House of Representatives, Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, the Minister Delegate in charge of Digital Transition and Administration Reform, emphasized the need to deploy this technology before these sporting events take place. The National Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (ANRT) is preparing to launch a call for tenders for the allocation of 5G licenses. The kingdom’s priority is to cover the cities that will host World Cup 2030 matches.

5G is essential to ensure smooth broadcasting of matches, in accordance with FIFA requirements, the Minister Delegate insisted. Maroc Telecom, Inwi and Orange Maroc, the kingdom’s three main operators, have already successfully tested 5G and are ready to deploy this technology on their respective networks, after obtaining the necessary authorizations from ANRT.

However, the cost of 5G licenses could slow down operators’ commitment to developing 5G, knowing that they have already spent nearly 2 billion dirhams on 4G licenses. Moreover, competition will be fierce after the allocation of 5G licenses, as each operator will seek to offer better quality services at reduced prices to maintain and increase its customer base. For consumers, the arrival of 5G should allow for improved internet services. But the cost of accessing this technology could be problematic.

The introduction of 5G should have a significant impact on the Moroccan economy. According to studies, a 10% increase in mobile broadband penetration would lead to GDP growth ranging from 1 to 2.5%. The deployment of this technology should also promote the development of key sectors such as telemedicine, the Internet of Things (IoT) and smart cities.

However, challenges remain. They are particularly related to the increase in package costs and the incompatibility of several smartphones with 5G. "Current devices may require updates or be replaced by newer models adapted to 5G," explains Hamid Berdai, network development engineer and telecommunications expert, to Challenge. Some 6,300 public administrative structures should be connected by 2026 and 5.6 million households by 2030.