Societe Centrafricaine de Telecommunications (SOCATEL)

active

In 1995, the government of Central African Republic entered into an agreement with France Cable et Radio (FCR) for the purchase of 40% of SOCATEL, the state monopoly provider of fixed and long distance services. The agreement was based on debt swapping on debts owed to French prostates. The arrangement later changed to give FCR a 49% stake in the operator. It was the intention of the government to sell a further stake sometime in early 2003, but that action was delayed due to a coup. Centrafrique Telecom Plus was established in 1996 as a 100% subsidiary of Socatel to provide mobile services. The network operated on a GSM 900 standard. There were just three telephones per 1,000 people in the Central African Republic by 2003. no further info on 2005 update.