Casablanca – Morocco’s telecommunications sector is undergoing a structural transformation, marked by the steady decline of traditional voice and SMS services and the rapid expansion of internet usage and fifth-generation mobile technology (5G). Recent data from the National Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (ANRT) highlights a clear shift in consumer behavior and investment priorities, pointing to a broader transition toward a data-driven digital economy.

Declining voice and SMS usage

The latest figures for 2025 confirm a continued drop in traditional communication services. The volume of outgoing mobile calls fell by 12.55% compared to the previous year, reaching approximately 40.9 billion minutes. This contraction reflects a sustained change in user habits, as consumers increasingly rely on internet-based messaging and calling applications.

Text messaging has experienced a similar downturn. SMS traffic declined significantly to around 1.54 billion messages, continuing a downward trend observed in recent years. The shift away from conventional communication channels underscores the growing dominance of mobile data services and over-the-top (OTT) platforms.

Despite this decline, the mobile market remains resilient in terms of subscriptions. The number of mobile users rose to about 59.16 million in 2025, representing a 1.5% increase year-on-year. Prepaid services continue to dominate the market, accounting for the majority of subscriptions, reflecting consumer preference for flexible and cost-controlled usage models.

Internet expansion and improved performance

In contrast to traditional services, Morocco’s internet sector recorded sustained growth. By the end of 2025, the country had approximately 41.46 million internet subscriptions, an increase of more than 1.24 million users compared to the previous year. This growth pushed internet penetration above 112%, indicating widespread access across the population.

Network performance has also improved notably. Average mobile internet speeds reached 83 Mbps for downloads and 36 Mbps for uploads, while fixed ADSL connections exceeded 12 Mbps for the vast majority of users. Fiber-optic infrastructure continues to expand rapidly, with fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) subscriptions surpassing 1.4 million, reflecting annual growth of over 30%.

The expansion of digital infrastructure is also evident in the growth of Morocco’s online ecosystem. The number of registered “.ma” domain names exceeded 133,000, highlighting increasing digital engagement among businesses and individuals.

5G rollout accelerates

A key development in 2025 was the launch of 5G services in November. Within a short period, the new network reached approximately 38% of the population and attracted around 2.63 million subscribers. This rapid adoption underscores strong demand for high-speed connectivity and positions Morocco among countries advancing in next-generation telecom technologies.

Telecom operators initially focused 5G deployment in major urban and economic centers such as Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech, Tangier, and Agadir. This approach allows for faster uptake among high-demand users while supporting businesses that require advanced connectivity solutions.

The rollout of 5G is expected to play a central role in enabling new applications across multiple sectors. In industry, it supports real-time data exchange and automation, paving the way for smart manufacturing. In healthcare, it can facilitate telemedicine and connected medical devices. Agriculture and urban management are also likely to benefit from enhanced data capabilities and connected systems.

Competitive market dynamics

Morocco’s telecom market remains highly competitive, with three main operators driving investment and innovation. One operator holds a leading market share of approximately 29.82%, while the others compete through diversified offers, including data-centric packages and improved service quality.

The regulatory environment has encouraged infrastructure sharing and co-investment, helping accelerate the rollout of advanced technologies such as 5G and fiber optics. This competitive landscape has contributed to continuous improvements in network performance and service offerings.

Rising consumer expectations

Alongside technological progress, consumer expectations are increasing. In 2025, the regulator handled 1,655 customer complaints, with service quality accounting for 63% of the total. Complaints related to billing, contractual issues, and number portability were also reported.

The number of complaints rose steadily throughout the year, indicating growing awareness among users and higher expectations regarding service reliability and transparency. While the average processing time for complaints stands at around 16 days, the data suggests a need for further improvements in service delivery and customer support.

Toward a data-driven digital economy

The overall trend indicates that Morocco’s telecom sector is shifting from a voice-centered model to one driven primarily by data. As 5G coverage expands and internet usage continues to grow, data services are becoming the main source of value for both operators and users.

This transformation is closely linked to Morocco’s broader digital strategy, which aims to strengthen technological infrastructure, promote innovation, and attract investment. The continued expansion of high-speed connectivity is expected to support the development of new digital services, startups, and industrial applications.

Looking ahead, authorities aim to extend 5G coverage beyond major cities to reach a larger share of the population. This expansion could help reduce the digital divide and ensure more balanced regional development.

As the transition accelerates, the telecom sector is emerging as a key pillar of Morocco’s digital economy. The challenge will be to maintain investment momentum while ensuring service quality and accessibility, allowing the benefits of digital transformation to be shared more widely across the country.