Cameroonians Turn to Internet Calls as Traditional GSM Usage Drops
By Synthia Lateu
Cameroonians are increasingly moving away from traditional phone calls and SMS in favour of internet-based communication, according to the Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (ART).
The regulator’s latest report shows that the use of classic GSM calls and text messages declined by 14 percent, as more subscribers adopt over-the-top (OTT) services such as WhatsApp and Messenger. ART says the trend aligns with a steady rise in active mobile internet subscriptions nationwide.
On the streets of Douala, many users say classic calls and SMS are gradually becoming obsolete, with cost cited as the main reason for the shift.
“When I make a WhatsApp call, I’m not scared my airtime will finish. It uses megabytes and is less costly. But with traditional calls, you have to rush what you’re saying, even when you have a bundle,” a mobile phone user explained.
Economist David Kuate says major telecom operators have also contributed to the transition through billing practices that many consumers do not clearly understand.
“Since 2017, most services that were previously free started being billed. What bothers consumers and distributors, including mobile money operators, is the continuous increase in prices for various services such as SMS and money transfers,” Kuate said.
“Consumer rights groups have not been able to clearly explain the legal basis for these charges, which discourages many subscribers and pushes them toward cheaper alternatives.”
Kuate is now calling for stronger consumer protection and greater accountability from telecom operators.
“With proper regulation, there should be a clear framework explaining how prices evolved from 2017, when some services were free, to 2022, 2024, and now 2025, where costs have continued to rise. It is urgent that this sector is better regulated so consumers are protected,” he added.
ART reports that Cameroon’s national subscriber base reached 31.5 million customers in 2024, including 15.09 million active internet subscribers, representing a 19.15 percent increase.
Internet data traffic stood at 779.8 million gigabytes (GB) in 2024. Although still below the 1.25 billion GB peak recorded during the 2020 health crisis, the figure marks a 25.87 percent increase compared to the previous year, highlighting a significant reconfiguration of mobile communication habits.
Despite the growing preference for internet-based calls and messaging, some Cameroonians remain divided. While many embrace OTT platforms for their affordability, others continue to rely on traditional calls due to poor internet connectivity, network disruptions, and delayed responses associated with online communication.
