Algeria Connects 3 Million Households to Fiber Optic Network, Accelerating Digital Transformation
Image: Algerie Eco
Takeaway
The Algerian government's commitment to fiber optic infrastructure presents opportunities for international telecom equipment vendors and service providers. Investors should monitor Algérie Telecom's capital expenditure plans and partnership announcements. The transition from copper to fiber creates a potential market for network upgrades and related services, particularly in underserved areas.
As of February 2026, Algeria has connected over three million households to fiber optic internet, specifically Fiber to the Home (FTTH) technology. This milestone was announced on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, by the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications. The expansion aligns with the directives of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to improve national connectivity.
The fiber optic expansion is part of Algeria's broader digital transformation strategy, which aims to modernize infrastructure and improve service delivery. The government plans to fully replace its outdated copper telecom network with high-speed fiber optics by the end of 2027. Minister of Post and Telecommunications Sid Ali Zerrouki announced this ambition on April 29, 2025, during ceremonies marking the connection of two million Algerian households to FTTH infrastructure. The number of fixed internet subscribers increased from 3.5 million in early 2020 to over 6.6 million in the first half of 2025. The ICT Ministry aims to connect 7 million homes to fiber by the end of 2027.
Fiber optics offer significantly superior speeds compared to copper networks, ranging from 100 megabits per second (Mbps) to several gigabits per second (Gbps). As of September 2024, Algeria had 2.6 million ADSL (copper) subscribers, accounting for approximately 44% of the 5.9 million fixed internet subscribers. Algérie Telecom offers ADSL plans starting at DZD 1,600 (~$12) per month for 10 Mbps, while the entry-level fiber optic plan starts at 30 Mbps for DZD 2,200 (~$16.30) per month. In September 2025, over 17,000 new FTTH lines were commissioned across different municipalities of Masila. Construction is advancing on more than 28,000 additional fiber optic lines, scheduled for completion before the end of October 2025.
The expansion of fiber optic infrastructure benefits residents and businesses by providing faster and more reliable internet access. This supports sectors like AI, e-services, telemedicine, and fintech. It also empowers startups to develop advanced digital solutions and accelerates the digitization of governmental and public services. The increased bandwidth supports remote work, video conferencing, e-education, and other applications.
Algeria is also working to enhance internet speeds through submarine cables. On December 15, 2025, Minister Sid Ali Zerrouki announced a new submarine fiber optic cable project. Two cables are scheduled to be operational in Algeria in 2026: Africa-1, with a capacity of 200 to 300 Gbps, and the Medusa cable, with segments featuring up to 24 fibre pairs, each capable of reaching 20 terabits per second. Currently, Algeria is connected via five submarine cables with a total capacity of approximately 10.2 terabits per second. Watch for further announcements regarding the commissioning dates of the Africa-1 and Medusa cables, as well as any updates regarding pricing plans for consumers.