Telecommunications in Mayotte Coverage and Future Plans

Mayotte's telecommunications landscape has undergone significant changes in recent years, with improvements in coverage and infrastructure.

Mobile network coverage is available across the island, with all three major operators, Orange, Moov, and Eneo, providing services.

The island's population is around 260,000, which is a relatively small number compared to other French overseas departments.

As a result, telecommunications services in Mayotte are relatively affordable and widely available.

Mayotte's broadband connection has been provided since 2012 by the 2,700 km long LION 2 submarine fiber optic cable.

The island has a strong presence of mobile operators, with four operators - Orange, SRR, Maoré Mobile, and Telco OI - authorized to use the 4G frequency.

An average surface coverage rate of 76% across all operators is currently estimated, with a penetration rate of 103%.

Only SFR offers a fixed 4G service through the "Territorial Digital Cohesion" service.

The CREM contract, awarded in 2017, aims to strengthen the local loop through a fiber optic RIP, and departmental projects involve the deployment of several fiber optic networks.

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A 30 km collection network will opticalize 5 NRAs in the south of the island for a North/South digital balance.

21 km of optical links will connect 7 sub-distribution frames eligible for an ADSL speed upgrade program with the possibility of VDSL2 services and services integrating triple play, affecting approximately 2,300 households.

The connection of approximately fifty priority sites to fiber optics is also underway, particularly in the fields of healthcare, education, local authorities, and economic zones.

Currently, 11 sites are already connected.

The priority is now on very high-speed broadband to the subscriber, with a focus on FTTH deployment, considering the copper phase-out and the ambitions of the France THD Plan.

The opticalization of high points will guarantee very high-speed solutions via the mobile network where needed.

Mayotte is connected to the Comoros archipelago by the Avassa cable, partly financed by STOI and used mainly for mobile communications.

The LION 2 and FLY-LION 3 fiber optic cables, as well as the EASSy cable, provide connectivity in the Indian Ocean.

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The restoration of Mayotte’s network infrastructure became an immediate priority after Cyclone Chido inflicted severe damage on Only’s infrastructure.

Field teams have already restored five mobile sites in power-supplied areas, ensuring coverage for approximately 40% of the island’s population.

Additional infrastructure and energy supplies have been mobilised from Madagascar and Tanzania to expedite the restoration effort.

Disasters can have a significant impact on Mayotte's telecommunications infrastructure.

The island's remote location and vulnerability to natural disasters make it prone to disruptions in communication services.

Mayotte is exposed to cyclones, which can cause widespread power outages and damage to communication equipment.

The island's telecommunications network was severely affected by Cyclone Chalane in 2019, resulting in significant losses and disruptions to services.

The impact of disasters on Mayotte's telecommunications infrastructure is a major concern, especially considering the island's reliance on communication services for emergency response and recovery efforts.

Telecoms Sans Frontières (TSF) is a great example of how telecommunications can make a real difference in humanitarian work. They mobilized to provide emergency communication services to the island's most affected communities after Cyclone Chido.

Cyclone Chido had a devastating impact on Mayotte, and telecommunications played a crucial role in helping the affected communities. Télécoms Sans Frontières was on the ground, providing emergency communication services.

Telecommunications can be a game-changer in humanitarian work, especially in situations where communication networks are disrupted. This was the case with Cyclone Chido in Mayotte, where TSF stepped in to fill the gap.

In the face of natural disasters like Cyclone Chido, telecommunications can provide a lifeline for affected communities. This is exactly what Télécoms Sans Frontières did in Mayotte.

Mayotte's coverage is being improved through several projects, with a focus on fiber optic deployment. A 30 km collection network is being built to opticalize 5 NRAs in the south of the island.

Approximately 21 km of optical links are being deployed to connect 7 sub-distribution frames, which will enable ADSL speed upgrades and VDSL2 services, benefiting around 2,300 households.

The connection of approximately fifty priority sites to fiber optics is also underway, particularly in fields like healthcare, education, and economic zones, with 11 sites already connected.

Orange has made significant progress in restoring its mobile network in Mayotte. The company reports that 63% of the population now has access to its network, a 24-point increase from December 19th.

This improvement is crucial, especially for emergency services and residents who need to contact their loved ones. The quality of the service depends on the number of connected phones, which can lead to saturation risks.

On December 19th, the coverage rate was 39%, which has more than doubled in just a few days.

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SFR has a challenging situation on the island, with only 13 to 16 out of 67 antennas currently operational, which translates to about 50% coverage.

Yves Gauvin, the director of SFR Réunion/Mayotte, estimates that they should reach a 50% coverage rate by this Monday.

However, SFR hopes to have 80 to 90% of their network operational within two to three weeks, albeit with a low level of quality.

On December 26th, SFR announced that 48 out of 67 mobile network antenna sites were out of service, mainly due to power outages, leaving 19 operational.

Mayotte is taking steps to ensure that its telecommunications network is resilient against future crises. TSF is collaborating with local stakeholders to assess long-term communication needs.

The focus is on areas where network and electricity access remain limited. These areas need support to improve their communication infrastructure.

TSF is working to address these gaps, enabling better connectivity and communication for the community. This will help Mayotte recover and build a more resilient telecommunications network.

TSF provides vital support to communities affected by humanitarian crises, using technology to ensure people can access digital communications.

TSF deployed a team to Mayotte, where they conducted 21 mobile operations in the northern and western regions, focusing on the most deprived communities.

The team provided tools such as wireless internet and voice call devices, allowing individuals to reconnect with loved ones and access aid.

By January 5th, TSF had helped over 1,500 people reconnect with loved ones through free wi-fi access and ensured over 230 critical phone calls were made.

In the village of Milha, a woman was finally able to call her mother and sister thanks to TSF's Wi-Fi, a moment that was described as "really emotional" by a TSF team member.

TSF's work in Mayotte was crucial in reducing the psychological pressures inflicted by the uncertain times, and their efforts were praised by a resident, Yassira, who said that without TSF, people would have had to walk long distances to find a connection point.