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Inwi
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Inwi
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Inwi (Arabic: إنوي) (formerly known as Wana) is a telecommunications company in Morocco. One of the three major Internet service providers in the country, it is a subsidiary of the Moroccan holding Al Mada and the Kuwaiti group Zain.

Key Information

With more than 380 branches, Inwi is the third largest telecommunications company in Morocco,[1] after Maroc Telecom and Orange.[2] Inwi's network covers more than 92% of the country's territory.[3]

History

[edit]

Based in Casablanca,[4] Wanadoo Maroc was created in 1999, by Karim Zaz.[5] In 2004 and following the withdrawal of France Telecom, Wanadoo Morocco sold its subsidiary Maroc Connect to local investors:[6] Attijariwafa bank and Caisse de dépôt nationale via its subsidiary, Fipar holding.[7]

In 2005, ONA became the reference shareholder of Maroc Connect.[8] In 2006, Maroc Connect won the third 3G license in Morocco.[9]

In 2007, Maroc Connect became Wana,[10] the third operator for home telephones and 3G internet. In 2009, Wana wins the third GSM license in Morocco under its Inwi brand.[11] In February, the Kuwaiti consortium Zain/Alajial takes control of 31% of Inwi's capital.[12]

A year after its launch, Inwi reported five million customers in February 2010 and 13.5% of market shares in December 2010.[13]

In March 2015, Wana obtained its 4G license for the Inwi brand. The Brand had the best rating according to the criteria set by the ARNT (Coverage commitment, quality of service and business plan for the deployment of high and very high speed broadband in Morocco).[14]

The decision of ARNT to block the VoIP provoked a campaign of online protests against various Moroccan operators, including Inwi, in 2016. The company reacted by withdrawing from the sponsorship of the Maroc Web Awards and started the development of an application to use VoIP services.[15]

In September 2016, Inwi was the first operator to offer VoLTE (Voice Over LTE) technology to its 4G subscribers.[16] Also in 2016, Inwi was awarded the Moroccan Digital Awards, which recognizes the best companies that stand out in the digital world, for its social initiative "Dir Iddik", a platform linking the associative world with volunteers. More than 50,000 people have registered since then.[17]

In 2020, Inwi became the official sponsor of the Moroccan 1st and 2nd division professional football championship.[18]

Thus, the first division championship will be called in 2020–2021 "Botola Inwi 1".[19]

In 2023, Inwi expands collaboration with Subex to utilize aI-driven fraud management and business assurance on HyperSense platform.

Activities

[edit]

Mobile phones

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The operator holds 24.20% of the entire mobile phone flee, in 2016.[20] Following the opening of 07 numbers by the ANRT, Inwi customers were offered the possibility to customize their phone number.[21]

Home phones

[edit]

With the Bayn brand, Inwi offers a restricted mobility offer on the CDMA network.

Internet

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Inwi offers Internet access for professionals via broadband ADSL and fiber optics as well as 3G and 4G coverage for individuals. In June 2016, the brand holds 25.15% of the market's share, in second position behind Maroc Telecom.[22] It holds more than 17 million internet subscribers.[23]

VoIP service

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Born from the alliance between Wana and the French company "Phone Systems & Network" in 2007, Bladiphone offers a communication service between France and Morocco through VoIP technology.[24]

Double Play Offer

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In 2017 and in partnership with the brand WanaOne, the operator developed a box to allow a reinforced access to Internet and telephone for companies.[25]

Cloud

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As of 2016, the operator proposed a professional service Cloud called "Business Digital Workplace".[26] This service includes:[27]

  • Infrastructure as a Service IaaS
  • Desktop as a Service, DaaS
  • Software as a Service, SaaS
  • Voice as a Service, VaaS

Other activities

[edit]

Starting from October 2016, Inwi developed a consulting activity for digital companies (particularly Green tech and smart cities), via partnership with Numa Casablanca incubator. A dedicated incubation area (Open Lab Inwi) and other programs of training and raising awareness (Datacity) were launched on this occasion.[28][29] On the occasion of the COP22 that took place in Morocco by the end of 2016, Inwi partnered with Moroccan Game Developers (MGD) to plan a contest that promotes the creation of Moroccan video games.[30]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Inwi

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Inwi (Arabic: إنوي) is a telecommunications company headquartered in Casablanca, Morocco, operating as one of the three primary mobile network operators in the country alongside Maroc Telecom and Orange. It provides a range of services including mobile telephony, fixed-line broadband, internet access, and enterprise solutions to residential, professional, and business customers. Established in 1999 initially as Wanadoo Maroc and later rebranded to Wana before adopting the Inwi name in 2010, the company has expanded significantly under ownership by the Moroccan investment group Al Mada. By mid-2025, Inwi had become Morocco's largest mobile operator, serving an estimated 19.7 million subscribers and holding a 31% market share in the sector. Key achievements include pioneering VoLTE technology for 4G subscribers and securing a 5G license in 2025 to enable advanced network deployments, often through infrastructure partnerships like the one with Maroc Telecom. The company has faced competitive challenges, notably prevailing in a 2024 antitrust lawsuit against Maroc Telecom for alleged abuse of market dominance, which resulted in a court-ordered payment of $636 million to Inwi.

History

Founding as Wana Corporate (1999–2009)

Maroc Connect was established in 1999 as a between ONA Holding (now part of Al Mada) and France Télécom, initially focusing on data transmission and corporate connectivity services in . The partnership leveraged France Télécom's technical expertise to offer enterprise solutions such as leased lines and internet access for businesses, operating under the Maroc brand in . In 2004, France Télécom withdrew by selling its stake in Maroc Connect to ONA, Caisse de Dépôt et de Gestion (CDG), and Attijariwafa Bank, consolidating local ownership and enabling expansion into broader fixed-line services. By 2005, under ONA's majority control, the company—still known as Maroc Connect—secured a national fixed-line telephony license from the Agence Nationale de Réglementations des Télécommunications (ANRT), positioning it as Morocco's third fixed-network operator alongside incumbents Itamar and Al-Maghrib. This license supported growth in corporate broadband and voice services, with infrastructure investments targeting urban business centers. The entity rebranded as Wana Corporate S.A. in February 2007, emphasizing its corporate clientele while preparing for mobile entry; it acquired a 3G license in 2006 and launched restricted mobility services under the Bayn brand in 2007, followed by Wana Mobility in 2008 for enterprise wireless needs. Through 2009, Wana Corporate maintained a B2B focus, providing integrated telecom solutions like VPNs, dedicated internet, and fixed-wireless hybrids to enterprises, amid regulatory pushes for market liberalization but prior to consumer-facing mobile rollout. Ownership remained dominated by ONA (approximately 60%), with minority stakes from CDG and Attijariwafa Bank, supporting steady infrastructure buildout without retail competition.

Launch of Consumer Services and Expansion (2010–2015)

In February 2010, Wana Corporate, previously focused on corporate fixed-line services, launched under the Inwi brand, securing Morocco's third license awarded in 2009 and entering a market dominated by and Méditel. The initial network rollout provided capacity for approximately 2 million subscribers, emphasizing competitive pricing and expanded coverage to challenge incumbents. The launch drove rapid subscriber acquisition, reaching 4.3 million mobile customers by December 2010, just ten months after operations began, capturing a 13.5% amid Morocco's mobile penetration exceeding 80%. This growth reflected aggressive marketing, prepaid plans tailored to price-sensitive consumers, and infrastructure investments to extend service beyond urban areas, contributing to overall sector expansion where mobile subscriptions boosted national penetration rates. From 2011 to 2014, Inwi sustained momentum through network densification and bundled offerings integrating mobile with existing fixed-line broadband, growing its subscriber base to over 12 million by early 2015 while enhancing fixed-voice services. Market positioning strengthened, with Inwi achieving 25.63% of the mobile segment and 26.73% of fixed-voice by year-end 2015, supported by regulatory liberalization that facilitated competition. In early 2015, the company announced a Dh5 billion (€544 million) five-year investment plan prioritizing data infrastructure upgrades, signaling preparation for emerging technologies like 4G, which Wana secured licensing for that March. This period marked Inwi's transition from niche entrant to significant competitor, though it faced churn pressures from saturated markets and pricing wars.

Rebranding to Inwi and Market Growth (2016–2020)

In 2016, Inwi entered the fixed-line market by launching DSL services, heightening competition alongside Orange 's similar rollout and challenging the established providers in DSL offerings. This expansion complemented Inwi's existing mobile and limited fixed telephony presence, aligning with national trends in rising demand. Concurrently, 's overall mobile subscriber base grew to 41.5 million by year-end, up 3.6% from 2015, driven by affordability improvements and network expansions across operators. Inwi also took assertive steps to foster competitive conditions, lodging a formal with the National Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (ANRT) in 2016 against for alleged , including infrastructure access barriers that hindered ' growth. This action underscored Inwi's strategy to leverage regulatory mechanisms amid a market dominated by the , where fixed-line services remained concentrated. The telecom sector as a whole posted steady growth, with total turnover reaching approximately MAD 33.5 billion in 2015 and projected at 5% annual increases through the period, fueled by data services and penetration gains. From 2017 to 2019, Inwi invested in supporting to accommodate expanding , including the inauguration of its fourth in Rabat's Technopolis park in January 2019, spanning 1,000 square meters to enhance cloud and hosting capabilities. Mobile market maturity deepened, with penetration exceeding 125% by late 2019, prompting operators like Inwi to trial technologies alongside spectrum preparations. These efforts positioned Inwi to capture shares in high-growth segments such as mobile and , amid sector-wide shifts toward digital services. By , Inwi maintained its role as a key challenger operator, benefiting from Morocco's maturing telecom ecosystem where mobile subscribers approached 50 million amid sustained economic contributions from the industry. The period's growth reflected Inwi's focus on service diversification and resilience, though specific operator revenues remained influenced by competitive dynamics and regulatory oversight.

Recent Milestones and Digital Initiatives (2021–Present)

In March 2025, Inwi launched WiFi 7 services in Morocco, enabling ultra-fast internet speeds and enhanced performance for applications such as streaming, gaming, and remote work. This initiative marked a significant upgrade in residential and enterprise connectivity, aligning with broader efforts to modernize wireless infrastructure. On March 27, 2025, Inwi and Maroc Telecom announced a strategic partnership involving a MAD 4.4 billion investment in shared passive infrastructure to accelerate fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) deployment and 5G rollout nationwide. The collaboration led to the formation of two joint ventures—Uni Fiber, targeting 1 million FTTH connections within two years, and Uni Tower, aiming to construct or upgrade 2,000 mobile towers over three years—which received regulatory approval from the National Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (ANRT) in June 2025 and were operationalized by September. In April 2025, Inwi participated prominently in GITEX Africa, unveiling a with the African Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (APB) to bolster Morocco's through enhanced tech investments and support. Concurrently, Inwi's fully digital "win by inwi" mobile , offering app-based subscriptions and flexible plans, was awarded "Produit de l'Année" for the second consecutive year, recognizing its in user-centric digital services. This accolade was repeated in 2025, marking the third straight win and underscoring sustained growth in digital adoption. The ANRT awarded spectrum licenses to , , and Orange on July 29, 2025, with initial non-standalone (NSA) deployments planned to enable commercial services starting November 2025 in major cities and key sites like airports and stadiums. has committed to achieving 45% population coverage by 2026 as part of national targets. Ongoing digital initiatives include the expansion of Inwi Innov, an accelerator program supporting Moroccan startups with , , and connectivity resources, which launched "Inwi Innov Connect" workshops in May 2025 to foster entrepreneurial networking. Additionally, the "Sir B3id" program, emphasizing digital inclusion, has equipped 238 " Connecté" sites with high-speed access to bridge urban-rural divides as of October 2025. These efforts reflect Inwi's focus on ecosystem-wide digital enablement amid Morocco's telecom penetration exceeding 150% for mobile services by mid-2025.

Ownership and Governance

Ownership Structure

Inwi is a with its majority ownership controlled by Al Mada, a Moroccan investment formerly known as Société Nationale d'Investissement () and closely linked to the Moroccan through its investment portfolio. Al Mada holds 69% of Inwi's capital, providing strategic oversight and alignment with national economic interests. The minority stake of 31% is held by Kuwaiti entities following a 2009 acquisition deal, where the and Al Ajial Investment Fund (a Kuwaiti vehicle) each acquired 15.5% of the capital from the previous owners. This partnership was formalized to bring international telecom expertise and capital, with Zain contributing operational know-how from its regional operations. No significant changes to this structure have been reported as of 2025, despite periodic market consolidations in Morocco's telecom sector. This ownership configuration has enabled Inwi to balance local governance with foreign investment, though it has occasionally led to tensions in regulatory disputes, such as competition cases involving infrastructure sharing. Al Mada's dominant position ensures decisions prioritize long-term national infrastructure development over short-term profitability pressures from minority shareholders.

Leadership and Key Executives

Azdine El Mountassir Billah has served as Président Directeur Général (CEO) of Inwi since October 5, 2020, succeeding Nadia Fassi Fehri following her resignation for personal reasons on September 30, 2020. Billah, a trained at , previously held senior roles in strategy and operations within the sector, including at , and was appointed by Inwi's parent holding Al Mada to drive expansion and initiatives. He retained much of the executive team from the prior administration upon taking office, emphasizing continuity in commercial and network strategies. Nadia Fassi Fehri led Inwi as CEO from 2015 to 2020, overseeing the company's from Wana Corporate, gains in mobile and fixed services, and early deployments amid intensifying competition. Under her tenure, Inwi expanded its customer base to over 20 million subscribers by focusing on affordable data plans and infrastructure investments. Key executives under Billah's leadership include Mohammed Benmahjoub, who heads the Enterprise & Corporate Development division as Directeur Général, managing B2B services, partnerships, and international outreach for Inwi's business segment. This unit focuses on tailored solutions for corporate clients, including cloud services and dedicated connectivity, contributing to Inwi's diversification beyond consumer markets. Other notable roles filled by experienced professionals from within Al Mada's portfolio or the telecom industry support operational areas such as marketing and network engineering, though detailed public profiles remain limited due to the company's private ownership structure.

Services and Products

Mobile Telephony

Inwi provides mobile telephony services encompassing voice calls, messaging, and mobile data through both prepaid recharge options and monthly subscription forfaits targeted at consumers. These services operate on a network utilizing for voice and basic data, for , and LTE for high-speed internet access, with frequency bands including GSM 900/1800 MHz, UMTS 2100 MHz, and LTE in bands 1, 3, 7, and 20. In July 2025, Inwi was awarded a spectrum license by Morocco's National Telecommunications Regulatory Agency, alongside competitors, positioning it for non-standalone deployment in urban areas pending infrastructure upgrades. Prepaid services allow users to purchase airtime credits via vouchers or electronic top-ups, which can be allocated to on-net and off-net voice calls, , and add-on bundles; for instance, packages include 1 GB valid for 3 days at 10 MAD or 5 GB for 30 days at 50 MAD. Monthly forfaits emphasize bundled with supplementary voice and messaging, such as the FLEXI Réseaux Sociaux plan at 49 MAD offering unlimited access, unlimited calls to Inwi numbers, 2 GB of general internet, and 1 hour of national calls. Higher-tier options include the 25 GB + 1 Hour forfait at 99 MAD with unlimited and 1 hour national calls, or the unlimited national calls plan at 199 MAD incorporating 25 GB . These plans often feature loyalty incentives through the My Inwi app, enabling real-time consumption tracking and rewards. For business users, Inwi offers tailored mobile packages under its enterprise division, including all-in-one forfaits with unlimited intra-fleet calls, , and data volumes starting from 35 GB for standard connectivity, alongside flexible passes for intermittent voice and needs. As of the second quarter of 2025, Inwi's mobile subscriber base reached an estimated 19.7 million, establishing it as Morocco's largest mobile operator by user count amid a national total exceeding 58 million subscriptions. Coverage extends nationwide for / with robust availability in populated regions, though performance metrics from independent tests place Inwi behind leaders in download speeds and video experience.

Fixed-Line Telephony

Inwi provides fixed-line telephony services primarily through bundled offerings with broadband internet, utilizing and fiber optic infrastructure to deliver voice communications over fixed networks. These services enable unlimited calls to national landlines, with varying allowances for mobile and international destinations depending on the plan, catering to both residential and enterprise needs in . For enterprise customers, Inwi's Business Connect Fixe packages integrate with up to 20 Mbps download speeds. The 12 Mbps plan offers 2.5 hours of calls to national and select international mobiles (Area 1A), while the 20 Mbps variant provides 10 hours, both with promotional pricing starting at 124.5 MAD and 174.5 MAD for the first three months, rising to 249 MAD thereafter; a 249 MAD commissioning fee applies, and commitments range from 0 to 24 months. Additional options include fixed IP addresses for 20 MAD monthly and free routers with qualifying subscriptions, supporting connectivity without separate installation costs. Residential fixed-line telephony is available via bundles, such as the 2020 launch of a 20 Mbps plan at 199 MAD per month, incorporating 2 hours of mobile calls alongside unlimited national fixed-line access. Inwi expanded into consumer , including telephony elements, with its I-Dar ADSL service introduced in November 2015, marking entry into direct competition with incumbents like . As of September 2024, Inwi held a stable 18.72% in Morocco's fixed sector, which totaled 2.9 million subscribers—a 6.4% annual increase driven partly by gains from operators like Inwi and Orange Maroc, while Maroc Telecom's dominance eroded to 56.33%. Residential users comprise 82.53% of the base, with fixed number portabilities rising 26.05% year-over-year to 86,695, reflecting competitive pressures and service switching. Despite overall voice traffic declining 3.6% to 296 million minutes, Inwi's focus on bundled fixed services supports infrastructure sharing and under the ANRT.

Broadband and Internet Services

Inwi offers fixed broadband internet access primarily through asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL) and fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) technologies, targeting both residential and business customers in Morocco. Residential ADSL services under the i-dar brand provide unlimited data up to 20 Mbps download speeds for 199 Moroccan dirhams (DH) per month, with no installation required for eligible lines. FTTH options, branded as La Fibre inwi, deliver symmetrical speeds up to 500 Mbps starting at 249 DH per month, including Wi-Fi equipment and emphasizing low latency for streaming and remote work. Business-oriented broadband includes ADSL connections at 149 DH per month (including VAT) for standard uses, bundled with options for fixed telephony in double-play packages that add unlimited national landline calls and up to 6 hours of mobile minutes. for enterprises supports from 249 DH per month up to 1 Gbps, with dedicated solutions for high-demand connectivity such as cloud access and virtual private networks. These services integrate value-added features like free , hosting, and static IP addresses where applicable. Inwi has prioritized FTTH expansion to address Morocco's growing demand for ultra-high-speed , which reached 1 million lines nationwide by the end of 2024. On March 13, , the company opened its FTTH infrastructure to rival operators under regulatory mandates from the (ANRT), enabling wholesale access to accelerate deployment and reduce duplication of passive networks. In June , Inwi and established the Uni Fiber joint venture with an initial 4.4 billion DH investment to jointly build and share assets, targeting rapid scaling toward 1 million additional FTTH connections amid competition from dominant players holding over 50% of the FTTH market. This infrastructure-sharing model aims to lower costs and extend coverage beyond urban centers, where Inwi's availability remains more limited compared to .

Value-Added Services (VoIP, , Bundles)

Inwi offers VoIP-enabled telephony services through its platform, hosted in the company's sovereign infrastructure. This solution provides business customers with scalable switchboard features, including user management, call logging, transfers, forwarding, with personalized messages, and , accessible via phones or desktop/mobile applications. The inwi Business Link further integrates a VoIP , enabling voice calls over or mobile data connections without additional hardware requirements. These offerings operate within Morocco's regulatory framework, where Inwi, alongside other operators, has enforced a 2016 ban on third-party VoIP applications like and calls over data networks to safeguard local revenues. Inwi's cloud services emphasize sovereignty and reliability for enterprise users, with all hosted within to comply with local regulations. The INWI Business Cloud portfolio includes Virtual Private Servers (VPS), Virtual Data Centers (VDC), Backup as a Service (BaaS), and Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS), supported by or platforms. Key features encompass 99.98% availability, pay-as-you-go pricing with no upfront investment, and integrated management of connectivity, , and resources. These services leverage Inwi's Tier 3-certified data centers, including the Sapino facility in , which supports high-availability hosting and international interconnections. Bundled packages represent a core value-added offering, combining multiple services to simplify billing and enhance efficiency for businesses. The bundle integrates fixed-line with , delivering speeds from 128 Kbps to 6 Mbps, unlimited calls between Inwi landlines and mobiles, and a single invoice for multi-site operations. Mobile enterprise bundles, such as the 60 GB package, pair data allowances with voice hours (e.g., 30 hours national) and SMS quotas (e.g., 500 messages), often including intra-fleet calling perks. Additional convergence packs extend these bundles to unified access across devices, while flexible passes provide on-demand voice and data top-ups valid for 7 to 30 days. Pricing for bundles varies by configuration, with user licenses operating on a 100% OPEX model.

Network Infrastructure and Technology

Core Network Evolution

Inwi's core network infrastructure originated with the launch of its mobile operations in 2010, initially supporting services through a packet-switched core aligned with standards, enabling data and basic voice capabilities amid Morocco's early mobile expansion. This foundational setup facilitated Inwi's entry as the third mobile operator, leveraging international partnerships for core elements to handle growing subscriber traffic. The transition to 4G necessitated the deployment of an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) around mid-2015, coinciding with the commercial rollout of LTE services on June 1, 2015, which shifted the architecture toward all-IP packet processing for enhanced data throughput and efficiency. This upgrade replaced legacy circuit-switched elements for data, supporting initial LTE speeds and preparing for multimedia convergence. To enable voice services over LTE, Inwi introduced VoLTE on September 1, 2016, deploying an (IMS) core that integrated high-definition voice, simultaneous voice and data, and reduced latency compared to circuit-switched fallbacks. The service was extended to all subscribers by November 2017, automating activation without hardware changes and leveraging Huawei's IMS platforms for seamless integration with the existing EPC. By 2019, Inwi advanced core in partnership with , implementing cloud-native platforms that virtualized EPC and IMS functions for , elasticity, and 5G readiness, including support for network slicing and precursors. This evolution reduced hardware dependency, improved , and positioned the core for non-standalone integration, with pilots demonstrating enhanced capacity handling for future traffic surges. Huawei's involvement extended to BSS and core management, ensuring responsive operations amid rising data demands.

5G Deployment and Partnerships

In 2025, Inwi secured a 5G license from Morocco's National Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (ANRT) in a MAD 2.1 billion auction shared among the three major operators, enabling spectrum access in the 3.5 GHz band for initial deployments. Commercial services are projected to commence by November 2025, beginning in eight major cities including , , and Marrakech, as well as key airports, with operators committing to 45% population coverage by the end of 2026 and 85% by 2030. To expedite infrastructure rollout, Inwi entered a with in March 2025, focusing on shared deployment of 5G networks and fiber optics through cost-sharing agreements. The collaboration involves an initial MAD 4.4 billion investment over three years, prioritizing passive infrastructure like towers and active sharing for radio access networks. This alliance materialized into two joint ventures launched in June 2025: Uni Fiber for accelerating fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) expansion to support backhaul, targeting over 1 million new connections, and Uni Tower for tower sharing to reduce deployment costs and timelines. The partnerships aim to position as a regional leader ahead of the co-hosting, though challenges remain in achieving nationwide coverage due to terrain and urban density variations. No public details have emerged on vendor-specific equipment partnerships for Inwi's core or RAN, with deployments relying on the shared model to optimize .

Fiber Optic and Infrastructure Sharing

Inwi has expanded its fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network across , with deployments supporting high-speed services and regional coverage growth announced in 2025. The company introduced updated fiber packages featuring speeds up to 7 compatibility, alongside extensions to additional areas, as part of efforts to meet rising demand for fixed . In March 2025, Morocco's National Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (ANRT) mandated passive infrastructure sharing for fiber optic networks among operators to enhance competition and accelerate rollout, targeting an increase in eligible households from 1.5 million in 2022 to 5.6 million by 2030. Inwi complied promptly by granting competitors access to its FTTH infrastructure starting March 13, 2025, positioning itself as an early implementer of the regulatory framework. To further optimize deployment, Inwi entered a with in March 2025, establishing joint ventures for shared passive infrastructure. This includes Uni Fiber, focused on FTTH passive elements with a goal of 1 million connections, backed by a combined MAD 4.4 billion investment to support fiber expansion and integration. The ANRT approved these ventures in June 2025, enabling consolidated tower and fiber assets under 50-50 ownership to reduce duplication and costs while adhering to sharing obligations.

Market Position and Competition

Market Share and Subscriber Base

As of the end of 2024, Inwi commanded approximately 33.3% of Morocco's mobile subscriber market, translating to an estimated 19.4 million connections out of the national total of 58.29 million mobile lines, which marked a 4.3% year-on-year increase in the overall installed base. This positioned Inwi in a near-tie for market leadership, with Orange Maroc at 33.6% and Maroc Telecom at 33.1%, reflecting a balanced oligopoly among the three primary operators where prepaid subscriptions dominated at over 90% of Inwi's mobile base. In fixed telephony, Inwi maintained a competitive foothold, though specific end-2024 subscriber figures were not publicly detailed in regulatory summaries; however, the operator's heritage as a fixed-line provider (originating from Wana Corporate) supported its diversification into bundled services. For , Inwi held 33.1% of the FTTH segment by December 2024, contributing to the national milestone of 1 million FTTH lines amid infrastructure-sharing initiatives with rivals. Overall internet subscribers in reached 40.2 million by year-end, with mobile data driving growth, though Inwi's exact subscriber count remained aggregated within operator reports without granular disclosure.

Competitive Dynamics in Morocco

The Moroccan telecommunications market features three primary mobile network operators—Maroc Telecom, Orange Maroc, and Inwi—operating in a liberalized environment since the early 2000s, characterized by intense rivalry over pricing, subscriber acquisition, and service bundling. Competition has driven near-parity market shares in mobile services, with Inwi holding 35.3% as of early 2025, slightly ahead of Maroc Telecom at 32.5% and Orange Maroc at 32.3%, reflecting Inwi's aggressive expansion from its position as the third entrant. This equilibrium has fueled ongoing price wars, including frequent "headline discounts" and unlimited data bundles, which erode margins but boost penetration amid rising smartphone adoption. Inwi differentiates through targeted strategies emphasizing affordability and digital inclusion, such as low-cost prepaid plans and partnerships for enterprise solutions, enabling it to capture urban youth and rural segments previously dominated by incumbents. However, the operator faces challenges in network consistency, ranking last in consistent quality metrics per independent assessments, trailing 's lead in coverage and reliability. Regulatory interventions have shaped dynamics, including a court ruling awarding Inwi $635 million from for alleged unfair practices like predatory infrastructure leveraging, underscoring persistent antitrust tensions amid efforts to foster fair play. Emerging cooperative elements temper pure rivalry, as evidenced by Inwi's March 2025 partnership with to jointly deploy fiber optics and , aiming to accelerate national rollout while sharing costs in a capital-intensive sector. This , approved via regulatory consultation, signals a shift toward infrastructure pooling to counter high deployment barriers, potentially stabilizing by prioritizing scale over solo investments, though it risks scrutiny over reduced incentives for independent . Overall, the market's balances cutthroat subscriber battles with pragmatic collaborations, positioning Inwi as a resilient challenger in a sector projected to grow at 3.6% CAGR through 2028, driven by data demand.

Antitrust Disputes with

In 2021, Inwi (operating through its affiliate Wana Corporate) filed a against (Itissalat Al-Maghrib, IAM), accusing the incumbent operator of abusing its dominant market position through unfair competition practices that hindered Inwi's growth in mobile and fixed-line services. On January 29, 2024, the Commercial Court of Casablanca ruled in favor of Inwi, ordering Maroc Telecom to pay 6.36 billion Moroccan dirhams (approximately $636 million at the time) in compensation for damages sustained from 2006 to 2020 due to these anti-competitive actions. Maroc Telecom appealed the verdict, but on July 3, 2024, the Casablanca Commercial Court of Appeal upheld the decision, adjusting the amount slightly to 6.3 billion dirhams ($630 million) while confirming the findings of market abuse. This ruling followed a prior regulatory penalty: in January 2020, Morocco's National Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (ANRT) fined 3.3 billion dirhams ($330 million) after Inwi's complaint to the competition authorities highlighted similar and exclusionary tactics targeting Inwi's market entry. In September 2024, complied by paying Inwi approximately 6.4 billion dirhams in damages. The dispute concluded with an out-of-court settlement announced on April 1, 2025, under which agreed to pay Inwi 4.38 billion dirhams ($455 million), resolving remaining claims while establishing two joint ventures for passive infrastructure sharing and digital services to promote market competition.

Regulatory Approvals and Compliance

Inwi, operating under Médi Telecom SA, received its initial mobile telecommunications license in 2000 from Morocco's regulatory authorities, establishing it as the kingdom's first private operator alongside the state-owned incumbent. This license enabled the deployment of , subject to oversight by the National Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (ANRT), which enforces spectrum allocation, interconnection rules, and obligations. Subsequent unified licenses have encompassed fixed, mobile, and services, with renewals tied to compliance with coverage targets and quality-of-service metrics mandated by ANRT decrees. In July 2025, ANRT awarded Inwi a license following a competitive tender, granting 70 MHz of spectrum—primarily in the 3.5 GHz band—for MAD 600 million, valid for 20 years with renewal options. The approval requires initial coverage in eight major cities and their airports by November 2025, escalating to nationwide rollout commitments, alongside investments totaling approximately MAD 80 billion across operators for network upgrades. ANRT further approved Inwi's infrastructure-sharing joint ventures with in June 2025, creating Uni Fiber for passive fiber optic assets and Uni Tower for tower infrastructure, facilitating accelerated and fiber deployment while adhering to antitrust safeguards. These partnerships, valued at MAD 4 billion over three years, received regulatory clearance after review for competitive impacts, ensuring compliance with Morocco's telecommunications law on resource pooling. Inwi has maintained compliance through certifications demonstrating adherence to data security and privacy standards, including ISO 27001 for its datacenter in 2020 and HDS accreditation for hosting in May 2024, aligning with national laws on protection (Law 09-08). No major fines or sanctions from ANRT have been imposed on Inwi for regulatory breaches, contrasting with enforcement actions against competitors.

Criticisms and Challenges

Service Quality and Customer Complaints

Inwi's mobile network has consistently ranked lowest among Morocco's major operators in measures of reliability and user experience. In Opensignal's March 2024 Mobile Network Experience Report, Inwi achieved a Consistent Quality score of 31.4%, trailing (57.4%) and Orange, reflecting higher incidences of application errors, video buffering, and service interruptions for users. Similar patterns persisted into 2025, with ongoing reports of suboptimal fixed and mobile internet speeds, including users paying 200 MAD monthly for subpar 360p streaming quality in urban areas. Customer complaints center on frequent outages, slow resolution times, and inadequate support. Trustpilot reviews aggregate to a 1.1/5 rating from over 460 users as of late , citing issues like prolonged ADSL downtime (e.g., two months unresolved), unresponsive call centers, and alleged scams with airport-sold prepaid SIMs that fail to activate or provide promised data. Reddit and Facebook users report similar frustrations, including difficulties canceling contracts and ignored service tickets, with one 2023 case highlighting ignored ANRT-mediated complaints. The ANRT has noted rising telecom complaints, with 63% tied to in 2023 and 322 total cases in T1-2024 (down 11% year-over-year but still focused on fixed/mobile and billing). While operator-specific data is limited, Inwi's lags contribute to these trends, prompting 2025 ANRT campaigns for fixed-line QoS monitoring across providers including Inwi. Contrasting views emerge in a January 2025 consumer survey naming Inwi Morocco's most trusted telecom brand, potentially due to efforts rather than empirical performance.

Operational and Ethical Concerns

Inwi has encountered operational challenges related to network reliability and service delivery, particularly in and mobile segments. Customers frequently report intermittent outages, slow connection speeds, and prolonged resolution times for technical issues, which have undermined user trust in the company's management. In November 2024, media outlets documented widespread customer dissatisfaction stemming from these recurring service deficiencies, including inadequate maintenance of fiber optic and / networks in urban and rural areas alike. Customer support operations have drawn particular , with complaints centering on unresponsive call centers, delayed deployments, and inefficient billing dispute handling. Aggregate from platforms indicate a low satisfaction rating of 1.1 out of 5 stars across more than 460 user submissions, highlighting systemic delays in addressing connectivity failures that can persist for weeks or months. These issues reflect broader operational inefficiencies in scaling to match subscriber growth, as Inwi's expansion into and fiber services has strained resource allocation without proportionally improving uptime metrics. Ethical concerns surrounding Inwi's practices are less prominently documented but include allegations of misleading promotional offers, such as unlimited data plans that impose undisclosed throttling or overage fees, potentially eroding transparency in consumer contracts. While Morocco's telecom regulator, the ANRT, processes hundreds of service-related complaints annually—totaling 362 in the first quarter of 2023 alone, many pertaining to ADSL and mobile quality—no major ethical investigations specific to Inwi have resulted in formal sanctions beyond general sector oversight. The company's ties to the Al Mada holding, with indirect links to Moroccan royal interests, have occasionally prompted questions about preferential regulatory treatment, though empirical evidence of impropriety remains unsubstantiated in public records.

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