Morocco’s leading telecom operators, Maroc Telecom and Inwi, have announced an expanded partnership agreement aimed at accelerating the deployment of fibre-optic and 5G technologies across the country. This agreement is designed to consolidate parts of their passive telecom infrastructure by creating two joint ventures, each owned equally by the companies. The goal, according to both partners, is to strengthen the expansion of fibre-optic networks and support the development of 5G services throughout the Kingdom.
Creation of FiberCo and TowerCo
As part of the partnership, the two companies will establish two new divisions with specific infrastructure targets:
- FiberCo – tasked with expanding fibre-optic networks to reach 1 million connections within two years and 3 million connections within five years.
- TowerCo – responsible for building 2,000 new telecom towers in the next three years and 6,000 new towers within ten years to support the nationwide rollout of 5G.
These joint ventures will allow both Maroc Telecom and Inwi to pool resources and avoid duplicate infrastructure, thereby speeding up network deployment and improving coverage.
Major Investment and Regulatory Approval
Naturally, a transformation of this scale comes with a significant investment. The first phase of the project is valued at MAD 4.4 billion (around US$457 million) over the next three years. This phase is pending approval by Morocco’s National Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (ANRT), which must review and authorize the collaboration and infrastructure plans. Both companies are preparing to move forward as soon as regulatory clearance is obtained.
Stakeholder Perspective
According to the Emirates News Agency, Jassem Alzaabi – Chairman of e& (the parent company of Maroc Telecom) – stated that this strategic collaboration between Maroc Telecom and Inwi, combined with their joint investments in fibre and 5G infrastructure, represents a significant step toward greater market stability. He added that it also strengthens Morocco’s position as an attractive destination for investment in the telecommunications sector. This endorsement from a key stakeholder underscores the importance of the partnership for both the industry and the country’s digital future.
Legal Dispute Resolved
As a backdrop to this partnership, Reuters notes that there had been a legal dispute between the two operators. Previously, a court ordered Maroc Telecom (the market leader) to pay MAD 6.38 billion (a little over US$662 million) to Inwi for allegedly violating fair competition rules. That dispute now appears to have been resolved: Maroc Telecom has agreed to pay Inwi MAD 4.38 billion (approximately US$455 million), and in return both operators have agreed to drop their legal appeals. This resolution paves the way for a more cooperative relationship, as evidenced by the new partnership, and suggests a move toward greater market harmony between the two companies.
