DRC explores microsites for rural mobile coverage

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is looking into using microsites to improve mobile coverage in rural and peri-urban areas. As of 2024, around 55% of the population did not have access to 4G networks, prompting the government to seek more cost-effective solutions for expanding telecommunications access.

Meeting brings together telecom stakeholders

A meeting on October 8, led by the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications, José Mpanda Kabangu, brought together officials from the Universal Service Development Fund (FDSU), four mobile operators, and Africa Mobile Networks (AMN). The goal was to secure support for deploying microsite technology, already used by Orange in the DRC, with plans to test it with Airtel, Vodacom, and Africell.

Microsites are small and cost-effective

According to Scoop RDC, the microsites are small antennas about 5 meters tall, powered by solar panels. They can be installed in under two hours and cost four times less than traditional antennas. The plan includes deploying 50 pilot sites, each covering a radius of 4 to 5 kilometers and serving multiple nearby villages.

Technology focuses on small rural areas

Africa Mobile Networks (AMN) explains that its model uses small cells to cover areas of 3 to 5 square kilometers, compared to much larger coverage from traditional stations. The range of each site depends on the terrain, and the capacity can be increased as needed. Multiple devices can be used to expand coverage and boost network performance.

DRC aims to connect 68 million rural residents by 2035

Congolese authorities have set a goal to connect 68 million people in rural areas by 2035. In 2024, 2G, 3G, and 4G networks covered 75%, 55%, and 44.3% of the population, respectively. However, internet access remains much lower, at 19.7%, highlighting the need for improved infrastructure.

High costs challenge rural network expansion

The GSMA estimates that an additional $650 million is needed to bring high-speed mobile coverage to 95% of the DRC's population. Many new sites would require autonomous power solutions, as 87% are more than one kilometer from the electrical grid. Low population density and dispersed housing further complicate the economic viability of such investments.