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Maroc Telecom

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Morocco's largest telecommunications operator, providing mobile, fixed-line, broadband, and related digital services in Morocco and several African markets.

Last updated August 21, 2026

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Overview

Maroc Telecom, also known by its Arabic-derived name Itissalat Al-Maghrib and the abbreviation IAM, is Morocco's largest telecommunications operator. Its activities cover mobile communications, fixed-line telephony, broadband internet, fiber connectivity, enterprise communications, public telephones, and television or digital services delivered through telecommunications networks. The company is headquartered in Rabat and is listed on the Casablanca Stock Exchange and Euronext Paris. The business emerged from the restructuring and modernization of Morocco's state telecommunications administration. Morocco's communications infrastructure developed through the postal and telegraph systems established in the early twentieth century, followed by international submarine cables, satellite transmission, automated telex, digital switching, mobile radiotelephony, GSM, and internet access. The Office National des Postes et Télécommunications, or ONPT, introduced internet service in Morocco in 1995. Following telecommunications-sector reforms, Maroc Telecom was created in 1998. The company used the name Itissalat Al-Maghrib in Arabic, while the Maroc Telecom brand was adopted to improve international recognition. Maroc Telecom was partially privatized in 2001, when Vivendi acquired 35 percent of the company from the Moroccan government. Vivendi increased its holding to 51 percent in 2005 and later reached 53 percent after a 2007 transaction involving the Moroccan Caisse de Dépôt et de Gestion group. In 2013, Vivendi agreed to sell its controlling interest to Etisalat for approximately €4.2 billion. The transaction placed Maroc Telecom within a wider international telecommunications group and supported its expansion beyond Morocco. In Morocco, the company operates a broad fixed and mobile network, with regional delegations and offices throughout the country. Its mobile business has historically been the largest part of the operation, while fixed-line services, ADSL, fiber broadband, enterprise connectivity, and television services provide additional revenue streams. Maroc Telecom launched 4G+ in Morocco in 2015 and introduced fiber-to-the-home services with substantially higher speeds in later years. In 2025, it announced a consumer fiber plan offering speeds of up to 1 Gbit/s, alongside a lower price for an existing 100 Mbit/s plan. The company also developed an African operating footprint through investments in national operators, including a 51 percent investment in Burkina Faso's ONATEL in 2006. Its wider international operations have included Mali, Gabon, Burkina Faso, and Mauritania. In 2025, Maroc Telecom entered a long-term partnership with the International Finance Corporation involving a €370 million loan to support digital connectivity and 4G deployment in Chad and Mali. The business therefore combines a domestic infrastructure and retail role with a regional African telecommunications strategy. Maroc Telecom's brand positioning is built around network scale, national coverage, connectivity reliability, and the transition from traditional voice and fixed telephony toward mobile data, broadband, fiber, and next-generation networks. It remains a major infrastructure and communications company in Morocco, although its competitive environment includes Orange Morocco and Inwi.

History

The institutional roots of Maroc Telecom lie in Morocco's early postal and communications systems. Sultan Hassan I established the country's first postal service in 1891. A Moroccan postal, telephone, and telegraph administration was created in 1913, and subsequent royal decrees established state control over telegraphy and telephony. Morocco progressively connected its communications system to international networks. A submarine cable linking Tetouan with Perpignan was placed across the Mediterranean in 1967. Satellite transmission through Intelsat followed in 1970, while automated telex and digital switching were introduced around the same period. In 1987, the Office National des Postes et Télécommunications, or ONPT, introduced analog mobile radiotelephony. Morocco added its first submarine optical-fiber cable in 1992, launched GSM service in 1994, and introduced internet access through ONPT in 1995. Telecommunications-sector reform led to the creation of Maroc Telecom in 1998. Its original Arabic identity was Itissalat Al-Maghrib, reflected in the abbreviation IAM. The French-language Maroc Telecom name was subsequently emphasized for international markets. The new company inherited and expanded the country's fixed, mobile, and data infrastructure and became the principal national operator. The company was privatized in stages. On 20 February 2001, the Moroccan government sold 35 percent of Maroc Telecom to Vivendi. Vivendi acquired a further 16 percent in January 2005, giving it a 51 percent holding. In 2007, Vivendi's stake rose to 53 percent after the Caisse de Dépôt et de Gestion transferred a further 2 percent through Filpar Holding in a transaction involving Vivendi shares. Maroc Telecom broadened its commercial and technical scope during the 2000s. It operated fixed lines, mobile networks, ADSL, public telephones, and enterprise connectivity. In June 2006, it launched an IPTV package delivered over ADSL using technology supplied by Huawei; the service was described as an early offering of its type in Africa and the Middle East. In the same year, it contracted Alcatel for the Atlas Offshore submarine cable project connecting Morocco and France. The project was intended to increase capacity for broadband, voice, and call-center services. International expansion became an important part of the company's strategy. In December 2006, Maroc Telecom acquired 51 percent of Burkina Faso's ONATEL. The operator subsequently maintained activities or investments in a number of African markets, including Mali, Gabon, Burkina Faso, and Mauritania. This regional portfolio complemented its dominant position in Morocco and made the company one of the significant African telecommunications groups by customer base and profitability. In July 2013, Vivendi agreed to sell its 53 percent stake to Etisalat for approximately €4.2 billion. The transaction changed Maroc Telecom's controlling shareholder while preserving the company's Moroccan operating identity and public listings. Maroc Telecom is listed in Casablanca and on Euronext Paris. The Moroccan business continued its shift toward data and high-speed access. The company launched 4G+ in July 2015 and introduced fiber-optic services in Morocco in 2016, with early advertised speeds reaching 200 Mbit/s. Its core business remained a combination of mobile communications, fixed telephony, broadband internet, and enterprise services, supported by a nationwide network and a large retail and service presence. In 2025, Maroc Telecom announced further network and regional investment. A long-term partnership with the International Finance Corporation included a €370 million loan intended to accelerate digital connectivity and 4G deployment in Chad and Mali. In Morocco, the company announced a fiber plan with speeds up to 1 Gbit/s and a price reduction for its former 100 Mbit/s plan. The same year, Morocco's three principal mobile operators, including Maroc Telecom, were associated with the planned introduction of 5G in major cities. These developments illustrate the company's continuing transition from a traditional fixed and voice operator into a broadband, mobile-data, fiber, and next-generation network provider.

  • 2025

    Gigabit fiber plan announced

    [1]

    Maroc Telecom announced a consumer fiber plan offering speeds of up to 1 Gbit/s and reduced the price of its 100 Mbit/s plan.

  • 2025

    Connectivity financing partnership for Chad and Mali

    [1]

    A partnership with the International Finance Corporation provided €370 million in financing for digital connectivity and 4G expansion in Chad and Mali.

  • 2016

    Fiber-optic broadband introduced

    [1]

    The company introduced fiber-optic access in Morocco, with advertised speeds reaching up to 200 Mbit/s.

  • 2015

    4G+ launched in Morocco

    [1]

    Maroc Telecom introduced 4G+ mobile service in Morocco.

  • 2013

    Etisalat acquires Vivendi's controlling stake

    [1]

    Etisalat agreed to acquire Vivendi's 53 percent holding for approximately €4.2 billion.

  • 2006

    IPTV and Atlas Offshore projects launched

    [1]

    Maroc Telecom launched an ADSL-delivered IPTV package and contracted Alcatel for the Atlas Offshore submarine cable project linking Morocco and France.

  • 2006

    ONATEL investment in Burkina Faso

    [1]

    Maroc Telecom acquired 51 percent of Burkina Faso's ONATEL, beginning a more extensive regional African expansion.

  • 2005

    Vivendi increases ownership to 51 percent

    [1]

    Vivendi acquired an additional 16 percent of Maroc Telecom, becoming the controlling shareholder.

  • 2001

    Vivendi acquires a 35 percent stake

    [1]

    The Moroccan government sold 35 percent of Maroc Telecom to Vivendi as part of the company's privatization.

  • 1998

    Maroc Telecom founded

    [1]

    Telecommunications reform resulted in the creation of Maroc Telecom, originally identified in Arabic as Itissalat Al-Maghrib.

Products and positioning

National network leader and integrated telecommunications provider, combining broad Moroccan coverage with regional African expansion and investment in mobile and fixed broadband infrastructure.

  • Mobile telecommunications · 1994

    Mobile communications

    Maroc Telecom's mobile business provides voice, messaging, and data connectivity over its cellular network. The company has operated GSM and later-generation mobile services in Morocco and has extended mobile operations through African subsidiaries and investments. Mobile data, 4G+, and planned 5G capabilities form the main technology progression of this line.

  • Fixed telecommunications · 1998

    Fixed-line telephony

    The fixed-line business provides traditional telephone connections and related public communications services in Morocco. Although the market has shifted toward mobile use, fixed access remains part of Maroc Telecom's integrated network and supports broadband, enterprise communications, and other services.

  • Internet access · 1995

    ADSL broadband

    ADSL was a major early broadband product of Maroc Telecom and provided internet access over fixed telephone infrastructure. The company also used its ADSL network to deliver IPTV, linking broadband access with digital television and content services.

  • Internet access · 2016

    Fiber broadband

    Maroc Telecom's fiber offering provides higher-capacity fixed broadband for households and organizations. Fiber service was introduced in Morocco in 2016 and later expanded toward gigabit consumer speeds, supporting data-intensive applications and the replacement of older copper-based access.

  • Digital television · 2006

    IPTV

    The IPTV package launched in 2006 delivered television programming through the operator's ADSL connection. It represented an early convergence of fixed broadband and television services in the African and Middle Eastern telecommunications markets.

  • Business telecommunications

    Enterprise connectivity

    Maroc Telecom supplies business and wholesale communications capabilities based on its fixed, mobile, broadband, and international network assets. These services support organizations, carriers, call centers, and other users requiring connectivity beyond consumer voice and internet plans.

Controversies

  • 2020

    ANRT fines Maroc Telecom for anti-competitive practices

    Morocco’s telecommunications regulator, ANRT, fined Maroc Telecom MAD 3.3 billion for unfair competition. ANRT said Maroc Telecom had engaged in conduct that prevented and delayed competitors’ access to local-loop unbundling and the landline market; the fine followed a complaint by competitor Inwi.

    Source

Read more

Brand decisions

  • 2025

    Gigabit fiber consumer planProduct launch

    Background

    Household demand for higher-speed fixed broadband continued to increase as services and content became more data intensive.

    Action taken

    Maroc Telecom introduced a fiber plan with speeds of up to 1 Gbit/s and reduced the price of its 100 Mbit/s plan.

    Aftermath

    The announcement positioned Maroc Telecom as the first Moroccan operator described in the reference material as offering consumer gigabit speeds.

    Source

  • 2025

    IFC partnership for African connectivityStrategy

    Background

    Maroc Telecom aimed to expand mobile internet access and improve network quality in additional African markets.

    Action taken

    The company entered a long-term partnership with the International Finance Corporation to support 4G rollout and digital connectivity in Chad and Mali.

    Aftermath

    The financing was intended to improve mobile internet coverage and quality and to support wider digital development in both countries.

    Loan financing. €370 million (2025)

    Source

  • 2015

    4G+ network launchProduct launch

    Background

    Rising demand for faster mobile internet required an upgrade from earlier mobile-data technologies.

    Action taken

    Maroc Telecom launched 4G+ service in Morocco.

    Aftermath

    The move strengthened the operator's mobile broadband proposition and prepared its network for continued data growth.

    Source

  • 2006

    Launch of ADSL-based IPTVProduct launch

    Background

    Maroc Telecom sought to broaden the role of its fixed broadband network beyond internet access and voice services.

    Action taken

    The company launched an IPTV package delivered through ADSL using technology supplied by Huawei.

    Aftermath

    The service established an early telecommunications, broadband, and television convergence offering in Morocco.

    Source

  • 2006

    Atlas Offshore submarine cable investmentStrategy

    Background

    Growing broadband, international calling, and call-center demand required additional international network capacity.

    Action taken

    Maroc Telecom signed a contract with Alcatel for a submarine communications cable connection between Morocco and France.

    Aftermath

    The project was intended to increase capacity for broadband, voice, and call-center services.

    Project cost. €26 million (2006)

    Source

  • 2006

    Acquisition of a controlling interest in ONATELM&A

    Background

    Maroc Telecom pursued regional growth beyond its domestic Moroccan market.

    Action taken

    The company acquired 51 percent of Burkina Faso's ONATEL.

    Aftermath

    The investment became part of Maroc Telecom's broader African operating footprint.

    Source

Recent events

  • Reported

    ANRT fines Maroc Telecom for anti-competitive practices[3]

    Morocco’s telecommunications regulator, ANRT, fined Maroc Telecom MAD 3.3 billion for unfair competition. ANRT said Maroc Telecom had engaged in conduct that prevented and delayed competitors’ access to local-loop unbundling and the landline market; the fine followed a complaint by competitor Inwi.

Read more

Sources3 sources

  1. 1Maroc Telecomen.wikipedia.org
  2. 2Maroc Telecom official websiteiam.ma
  3. 3ANRT fines Maroc Telecom for anti-competitive practicesmoroccoworldnews.com

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