Maroc Telecom (IAM) and Inwi (Wana Corporate) are pleased to announce the signature of an agreement inaugurating a major partnership aimed at accelerating the deployment of fiber optics networks and 5G technology across the Kingdom.
This agreement has received approval from Maroc Telecom’s Supervisory Board and Inwi’s Board of Directors.
This unprecedented agreement fully aligns with the digital transformation dynamics of the Kingdom and meets national ambitions for ultra-high-speed connectivity.
In this context, the two operators agreed to consolidate their passive telecommunications infrastructures through the establishment of two joint companies, in wich IAM and Inwi each hold 50%. These companies are:
• FiberCo: Dedicated to accelerating the deployment of fiber optics to subscribers throughout the Kingdom in order to provide them with ultra-high-speed internet access, by rolling-out and operating the necessary passive infrastructures for fiber optic lines. The target is to achieve 1 million connections within 2 years and 3 million connections within 5 years.
• TowerCo: Focused on accelerating the deployment of the 5G network across the Kingdom, offering subscribers a much faster, higher-capacity and higher-quality connection. This JV will invest in the construction of new towers or the renovation of existing ones, which are passive infrastructures hosting their mobile telephony equipment. The target is to establish 2,000 towers within 3 years and 6,000 towers within 10 years.
The investment amounts allocated for the first phase of the project is 4.4 billion MAD over tree years.
These shared passive infrastructures will be accessible to any operator holding a license granting them the right to share passive infrastructures in strict compliance with current regulations.
The implementation of this partnership remains subject to the approval of the National Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (ANRT)within the framework of the anti-trust regulations.
The agreements between Maroc Telecom and Inwi also reflect a mutual desire to move beyond their past dispute relating to infrastructure sharing, which led to a judicial procedure resulting in Maroc Telecom being ordered to pay 6.38 billion MAD to Inwi as compensation. The parties will settle by waiving all pending legal appeals before the Court of Cassation and reducing the compensation amount to 4,38 billion MAD, once the final and binding documentation relating to the JVs has been signed.
Through this future partnership, Maroc Telecom and Inwi reaffirm their commitment to work together to strengthen the Kingdom’s digital infrastructure and actively contribute to the success of the country’s strategic projects.
This ambitious partnership will not only ensure cutting-edge connectivity for all Moroccan citizens and businesses but also strengthen Morocco’s position as a regional and international leader in the telecommunications sector.
Maroc Telecom and Inwi would like to thank the authorities and all stakeholders for their support and reaffirm their commitment to being reliable partners for Morocco’s technological and economic development.
