Tunisie Telecom has officially launched its 5G-NSA (non-stand-alone) services, marking a significant advancement in Tunisia’s mobile broadband landscape. The rollout, which began on February 14, follows the awarding of licences at a high-profile ceremony attended by the country’s head of government and the Minister of Communication Technologies in La Kasbah.
The newly deployed 5G network operates on two frequencies: a dedicated 3.5 GHz band and repurposed portions of the existing 4G spectrum in the 2100 and 1800 MHz bands. This hybrid approach allows the company to deliver enhanced mobile broadband and Fixed Wireless Access, with some sites reaching download speeds of up to 2.1 Gbps.
This is Tunisia’s first use of the 3.5 GHz band, providing broader spectrum capacity for improved speeds and performance. Additionally, the operator is deploying 5G in an FDD format, which integrates with existing mobile networks to expand coverage. The rollout is part of Tunisia’s broader digital transformation agenda, with Swedish telecom giant Ericsson playing a key role in supporting the network’s deployment.
Meanwhile, Egypt has yet to launch commercial 5G services despite multiple operators securing licences. Telecom Egypt acquired the country’s first 5G licence in January 2024 and, in partnership with Ericsson, conducted a successful trial in the New Administrative Capital the following month. Similarly, e& Egypt signed a deal with Ericsson in October 2024 to launch 5G nationwide, but no commercial services have commenced.
While Tunisia moves ahead with its 5G expansion, Egypt’s rollout remains stalled, leaving its telecom sector lagging behind in the region’s next-generation connectivity race.
