COUNTRY FOCUS: ALGERIA
Since its independence, Algeria has made
major strides in Information Technology,
with telecommunications operators
investing significantly in modernising their
networks to allow for the adoption of new
technologies. We spoke to Pierre Chaume,
Market Unit Head for Nokia Africa, to ask
him his thoughts about how technology is
on the rise in the North African country.
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Nokia continues to invest
in Algerian market
N
okia has a long-standing history of
operating in Algeria and has grown
its local technical competence
significantly over the years. The company has
made tremendous inroads in the country,
working with several operators to modernise
their networks to drive the adoption of
new technologies, which is line with the
government’s drive to diversify the economy.
“We are very excited about the growth
prospects in Algeria,” said Chaume. “The
economic landscape in the country is linked
to the crude oil price and where two years
back it was at US$40, today it is more in
www.intelligentcio.com
“
WE HAVE A VERY
IMPORTANT
PRESENCE IN
ALGERIA WHEN
IT COMES TO THE
OPTICAL NEXT
GENERATION
BACKBONE.
the range of US$80. This on its own is a
major factor in improving the economic
landscape. There are also several promising
government initiatives aimed at diversifying
the economy so that they do not only rely
on oil. “
The Algerian government has also reduced
the country’s budget deficit over the past four
years bringing it down significantly from 16%
to 3% in 2017. “From a mobile perspective, all
the service providers have been modernising
their networks to cope with the 3G and 4G
standards and ensure they meet their license
requirements,” said Chaume.
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