The mobile network roaming fees between Algeria and Tunisia will be removed, the two sides pledged here on Sunday, APS news agency reported. algeria tunisia roaming

This pledge, so far without more details, was announced on the sidelines of the third Joint Technical Committee for Cooperation in Post and ICT, held in Algeria‘s capital Algiers.

“We have decided to encourage regulatory authorities of both countries … to ensure their trade is transparent to customers traveling on both sides of the border without having to pay more fees for roaming and without being forced to make any changes on their phones,” said Algerian Minister of Post and ICT, Houda-Imane Feraoun, in a press conference she held jointly with the visiting Tunisian counterpart, Maarouf Anwar.

The Tunisian minister said that there is “a common will” to lift roaming charges by establishing what is called the One Network Area to “allow citizens on both sides of the border to feel at home.”

• READ MORE: Ooredoo Algeria offers free sim cards to tourists with initial credit 

The two countries had already pledged to lift roaming fees, as the former Algerian Minister of Post and ICT, Zohra Derdouri, promised that such charges will be reduced. Every year, some 2.5 million Algerians visit Tunisia, especially in summer, while some 500,000 Tunisians enter Algeria.

The roaming situation on the African continent is a mixed bag and varies depending on the specific countries and mobile operators involved.

Regional Efforts:

There have been some regional initiatives to reduce or eliminate roaming charges within specific blocs:

• North Africa: Algeria and Tunisia have recently agreed to end roaming charges between the two countries mentioned above,
• East Africa: The East African Community (EAC) has been working towards reducing roaming charges among its member states.
• West Africa: The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has also made some progress in reducing roaming rates.

Individual Countries:

Some individual countries have also taken steps to address roaming costs:

• South Africa: Roaming rates have been significantly reduced within the country.
• Other countries: Some countries have introduced regulations to cap roaming charges or offer more affordable roaming packages.

Challenges:

Despite these efforts, high roaming charges remain a significant barrier to connectivity across the African continent. Some of the challenges include:

• Lack of infrastructure: Limited infrastructure in some regions makes it difficult to establish seamless roaming agreements.
• Regulatory differences: Varying regulations and policies across countries can complicate the implementation of regional agreements.
• Costly agreements: Roaming agreements between operators can be expensive, leading to higher costs for consumers.

Overall:

While there have been some positive developments, the roaming situation in Africa is still evolving. It is advisable to check with your mobile operator for the specific roaming rates and options available in the countries you plan to visit.