Morocco prepares for 5G launch with key decree approval scheduled

Thursday 30 October 2025 - 09:50

By: Dakir Madiha

Morocco prepares for 5G launch with key decree approval scheduled

The Moroccan government is finalizing its plans to launch 5G technology, with a critical decree set for review during the October 30 Council of Government meeting. This move follows the allocation of 5G licenses to Maroc Telecom, Orange Maroc, and Inwi in July, marking a significant step toward activating the next-generation mobile network.

Strategic rollout in eight cities

The initial deployment will focus on eight cities, including Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech, Fès, Agadir, and Tanger, key locations for the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON). Airports in these cities will also benefit from early connectivity upgrades. The official launch could coincide with November 6, commemorating the 50th anniversary of Morocco's Green March.

The licensing process began in July under the National Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (ANRT), as part of the “Morocco Digital 2030” strategy. Maroc Telecom acquired a 120 MHz band for MAD 900 million ($90 million), while Inwi and Orange Maroc each secured 70 MHz bands for MAD 600 million ($60 million). The licenses, collectively worth MAD 2.1 billion ($210 million), are valid for 20 renewable years.

Investment and coverage goals

Telecom operators face ambitious obligations: covering 45% of the population by 2026 and expanding to 85% by 2030. Total deployment costs are projected to exceed MAD 80 billion ($8 billion) by 2035, factoring in equipment, fiber optic infrastructure, energy, and maintenance.

Morocco's structured regulatory framework, emphasizing transparency and fair competition, has drawn praise from analysts. This approach ensures investment stability in a market transitioning to 5G. The country plans to initially deploy non-standalone (NSA) technology, leveraging existing 4G infrastructure, before transitioning to standalone (SA) networks for full 5G capabilities.

Driving economic growth and industrial innovation

The ANRT highlights 5G as a productivity driver for sectors like manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and agriculture. Industrial zones are expected to benefit significantly, with applications such as automated production, logistics tracking, and predictive maintenance.

Technical challenges remain, including the deployment of massive MIMO antennas, densification of radio sites, and enhanced fiber optic backhaul. Operators must also implement virtualized network cores for dynamic bandwidth management.

Morocco’s decision to adopt the 3.5 GHz frequency band aligns with global standards, ensuring compatibility with European and Asian markets. This positions the country ahead of regional competitors, as North African neighbors like Egypt and Tunisia are still in early deployment stages.

While operators are technically ready for service, the commercial launch hinges on the official publication of the decree, expected before the end of the year.