Tunisia’s Tunisie Telecom launches 5G, the first in North Africa
Tunisia pioneers a new wave of digital connection for North Africa
In 2025, you might think 5G is already mainstream and available in every part of the world, but that's not the case as only 40% of the world has 5G networks. Nonetheless, while some regions still await the super-fast connectivity that 5G promises, Tunisia has taken a significant leap forward.
Tunisie Telecom, one of the country's leading telecom providers, has officially launched its 5G-NSA (non-stand-alone) services, bringing 5G eMBB (enhanced Mobile Broadband) and Fixed Wireless Access to customers. This move isn't just a technological upgrade—it's a significant leap in the region's digital evolution.
Oluwaseun Bamisile
The journey to this milestone began with a ceremonial licensing event attended by Tunisia’s head of government and the Minister of Communication Technologies at the Palais du Gouvernement in La Kasbah. The commercial rollout kicked off on February 14, marking a new era of connectivity.
Interestingly, the 5G rollout leverages two network setups: time division duplexing (TDD) sites on the 3.5 GHz frequency band and frequency-division duplexing (FDD) format on repurposed parts of the existing 4G network, primarily from the 2100 and 1800 MHz bands. The result? Some sites are hitting impressive download speeds of up to 2.1 Gbps, a significant upgrade for users.
This launch is notable not only for its speed but also for its strategic approach. It marks the first use of the 3.5 GHz band in Tunisia, expanding the spectrum for better performance.
Behind this successful launch is a partnership with Ericsson, a Swedish multinational networking and telecommunications company, which worked closely with Tunisie Telecom to meet the timeline set by the Ministry of ICT. Despite the tight schedule and complex network architecture, the collaboration achieved the launch, setting the stage for further advancements in Tunisia’s Digital Strategy 2025.
Tunisia isn't the only country to collaborate with Ericsson to launch 5G in North Africa. Neighboring Egypt did the same. Specifically, Telecom Egypt and e& Egypt both plan to partner with Ericsson to roll out 5G in the country.
However, despite the efforts and the government issuing 5G licenses to multiple operators in 2024, not a single Egyptian telecom company has launched commercial 5G services.
That being said, Tunisie Telecom's 5G launch has had a profound impact. For users, it means faster Internet speeds, improved connectivity, and a better overall experience. Meanwhile, the company solidifies its position as a leader in the region's digital transformation, attracting more customers and enhancing its competitive edge.
Emmanuel Oyedeji
