• Algeria launches phased 5G rollout after issuing licenses to three operators
  
  
• Six-year plan starts with eight pilot provinces amid rising bandwidth demand
  
  
• High deployment costs and device affordability pose challenges to nationwide adoption

Algerian authorities on Wednesday officially launched 5G services, calling it a key step in modernizing the country’s telecommunications sector. The move marks the beginning of a phased rollout intended to boost the digital economy.

Telecom operators can now install their first 5G sites and prepare offers for both consumers and businesses. The government plans a deployment that will take place over six years under a national plan calling for gradual and balanced coverage. Eight provinces will serve as pilot zones before the network is extended nationwide.

The launch follows the awarding of 5G licenses last July to Mobilis, Djezzy and Ooredoo, a decision confirmed in the Official Gazette on Nov. 24. The licensing terms detailing the technical, financial and coverage requirements were published at the same time. The licenses cost 63.9 billion dinars, or about 492 million dollars.

Authorities say the introduction of 5G marks a new stage in the country’s connectivity as demand for bandwidth grows rapidly. The technology is expected to support the expansion of artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, cloud computing and other advanced services. Sectors such as health, industry, education and smart mobility are expected to benefit. Tests conducted by Mobilis in February 2025 reached speeds of up to 1.2 gigabits per second.

Several questions remain, including how extensive coverage will be. According to a 2022 study by Ericsson, the base cost of deploying 5G in any country ranges between 3 billion and 8 billion dollars, with an additional investment of 20 percent to 35 percent required to expand coverage. This raises concerns that deployment in Algeria could favor more profitable urban areas while leaving rural regions behind.

Affordability is another challenge. According to a 2022 report by the GSMA, 5G-compatible smartphones start at around 150 dollars from several manufacturers, a price still inaccessible for many African consumers, especially when upfront payment is required. The organization estimates that device financing programs will likely be needed to make these phones affordable and help drive 5G adoption.

Isaac K. Kassouwi