Demand for high-speed internet is surging as individuals and businesses increasingly rely on digital technologies. As service quality becomes paramount for addressing a range of challenges, upgrading telecommunications infrastructure has emerged as a critical strategic priority.

The Guinean government has completed an expansion of the national fiber optic backbone capacity from 50 to 200 gigabytes, the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and the Digital Economy said on Monday.

The upgrade aims to improve internet service quality for Guineans. The backbone, the fiber optic network that transmits internet traffic across the country, can now handle significantly more data, potentially leading to faster connections and fewer slowdowns for users, especially during peak hours. This expanded capacity is also expected to support the delivery of high-speed internet services to underserved rural areas.

The work follows frequent consumer complaints about the quality of services provided by telecom operators, particularly voiced on social media. In September, Posts, Telecommunications, and the Digital Economy Minister Rose Pola Pricemou (photo) demanded urgent action from stakeholders to address "the concerning deterioration of network quality and internet speeds impacting the Guinean population" since the beginning of the year.

Improved service quality from this backbone upgrade could enhance the digital experience and unlock new opportunities for individuals and the broader community, according to the GSMA (Global System for Mobile Communications Association). However, efforts to broaden internet access across the population must continue.

As of June 30, 2024, the Guinean Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (ARPT) reported 6.6 million mobile internet subscribers, representing a penetration rate of 47.42%.

 By Isaac K. Kassouwi,

Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji