Senegal's Sonatel acquires 4G internet services

Senegal’s mobile service provider, Sonatel has acquired 4G services for over $54 millions in a move that will see the firm outsmart its competitors in the West African nation.

The Senegalese telecom regulator agreed on a 17-year 4G service deal with Sonatel that will be launched from July.

Sonatel had already run a one-year test for the 4G services which ended in 2014. During the test period, the service was free.

During the initial stages of agreement, Sonatel had wrangled with Senegalese government claiming the authorities had over priced the cost of the service.

Unwilling to go back on its decision regarding the conditions and price fixed for 4G licence, Senegal’s communication authority decided to open the call for applications to new international operators to undermine boycott from Sonatel.