Vivendi

Janie Letrot, Managing Director, Regulation, Communication and International Development, Member of the Management Board of Maroc Telecom (ASDR 2008)

Maroc Telecom subsidiaries and Sustainable Development in Africa

« Mauritel, Onatel and Gabon Telecom have listed the development and democratization of telecommunications and new information technologies among their priorities. In concrete terms this means regular reductions in telecommunication rates, massive investment, particularly to equip rural areas, and special efforts to develop the Internet.
In 2008, Mauritel covered 10 road systems, 16 cities and 18 more rural areas in mobile telephony. In Burkina Faso, Onatel invested to supply telephone services and Internet access to 150 rural locations by 2010. Gabon Telecom is promoting Internet access for cybercafés and applies regular discounts on rates.
These operators have integrated environmental concerns into their policy by using solar energy to power their facilities where possible, base stations serving as an example. In Burkina Faso, this is the primary energy source used in rural areas. Gabon Telecom is reducing electricity consumption by adjusting power subscription demand to the actual needs of businesses. Significant investments have also been made in human resources. Every year employees benefit from training days with the backing of Maroc Telecom’s expertise. Tens of thousands of jobs have been directly or indirectly created through Mauritel, Onatel and Gabon Telecom, with distributors, subcontractors or call centers.
The subsidiaries of Maroc Telecom play an active role in the social, sports and cultural life of the countries where they operate. Mauritel helps fight illiteracy and assists needy populations during Ramadan. Onatel is very involved in social events and sports; its sports association supplies top athletes in several disciplines. Gabon Telecom focuses on helping integrate youth into companies by organizing work placements for students. »