Maroc Telecom, INWI partner to accelerate deployment of fiber optics networks, 5G technology across Morocco

Maroc Telecom (IAM) and INWI (Wana Corporate) have signed an agreement aimed at accelerating the deployment of fiber optics networks and 5G technology across Morocco.

The investment to be injected in the first phase of the project amounts to 4.4 billion MAD over three years, according to a joint press release issued on Thursday.

This unprecedented agreement fully aligns with Morocco’s digital transformation dynamics and meets national ambitions for ultra-high-speed connectivity, the press release says.

In this context, the two operators agreed to consolidate their passive telecommunications infrastructures through the establishment of two joint companies, in which IAM and INWI hold 50% of shares each.

These include FiberCo, a company 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.

The other company, TowerCo, is focused on accelerating the deployment of the 5G network across the Kingdom, offering subscribers a much faster, higher-capacity and higher-quality connection.

This joint venture will invest in the construction of new towers or the renovation of existing ones. The target is to establish 2,000 towers within 3 years and 6,000 towers within 10 years.

The agreements between Maroc Telecom and INWI 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 MAD 6.38 billion 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 MAD 4,38 billion, once the final and binding documentation relating to the joint ventures 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.