Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am informed by the Information and Communication Technologies Authority that two mobile operators, namely Cellplus Mobile Communications Ltd, a subsidiary of Mauritius Telecom, and Emtel Ltd operate networks in Rodrigues and provide mobile network internet services. As at date, Cellplus Mobile Communications Ltd and Emtel Ltd have 23 and 16 base stations, respectively and have deployed 5G, offering a maximum download speed of above 100 Megabytes per second in Rodrigues. Moreover, both Mauritius Telecom and Emtel provide home broadband internet services. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, as regards the quality of the internet in Rodrigues, I am informed that ICTA carried out, between 30 June 2024 and 06 July 2024, an assessment exercise of the broadband to test the quality of service. The tests were conducted principally

61 on the 4G mobile networks that were deployed by both the operators and this covered 92 locations. Actually, those 92 locations cover a majority of the inhabited regions of Rodrigues. Although the assessment exercise concluded that the mobile internet coverage was satisfactory across majority of the areas in Rodrigues, several regions such as Songes, Roseaux, Rivière Banane, Pointe du Diable and Rivière Pistache still suffer from poor coverage and that is due to the topography of Rodrigues, which is a challenge actually to ensure a maximum coverage. Therefore, Emtel has informed that two new mobile sites will be implemented during the course of 2025, namely at Mangues and Rivière Banane. However, the long delays in securing clearance from the authorities in Rodrigues are hampering the setting up of additional sites at the moment. As far as connectivity by Cellplus Mobile Communications Ltd is concerned, a major network upgrade was undertaken in 2024, in order to enhance 4G services across all the existing sites and for the deployment of 5G network on all the sites. As part of its 25-26 expansion strategy, Cellplus is planning the deployment of new sites and the regions that would be covered are as follows –  Baladirou Technopark;  Port Mathurin – This will be done by September 2025;  Mon Plaisir and Grande Montagne, which will be done by November 2025, and  L’Union which is due February 2025, which just passed and that should have been covered. Cellplus Mobile Communications Ltd has requested assistance from local authorities in Rodrigues for facilitation of space and permits that are needed for the installation of infrastructure and locations that are aforementioned. Cellplus has also informed that replacement and service restoration are undergoing and this is being done at Mont Lubin and are expected to be completed by May 2025. Finally, ICTA is currently implementing a quality service measurement platform that will allow any subscriber to test its internet service subscription and to communicate the results through an app deployed by the ICTA itself. In this respect, the ICTA will continue conducting regular quality of service measurement, campaigns in Mauritius and Rodrigues too and will publish comparative performance of different broadband internet service providers.

62 It is believed that this measure will empower consumers to make informed choice of services and service providers and will motivate the internet service providers to improve their quality of service in the interest of subscribers. Thank you.

Yes. hon. François!

Just one supplementary. I thank the hon. Minister for his extensive answer. May I ask the hon. Minister whether he is aware that in 2023, there were two major technical equipment failures at the level of Mauritius Telecom in Rodrigues, causing disruptions of services thereat. May I know from him whether there is any backup plan or redundancy plan for Rodrigues if any failures arise again in the future?

So, because the question was focused on the quality of service currently, not on the redundancy of service, the answer focused on the quality of service. With regard to the redundancy of service, I will revert at a later stage. Thank you.

Hon. Second Member for Mahebourg and Plaine Magnien! LIVERPOOL FOOTBALL ACADEMY PROJECT – FUNDS INVESTED