Tunisie Telecom
Tunisia's incumbent telecommunications operator, providing fixed-line, mobile, internet and related connectivity services.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Tunisie Telecom is Tunisia's incumbent telecommunications operator and one of the country's central communications infrastructure providers. Its business spans fixed-line telephony, mobile communications, internet access and business connectivity. The company serves residential customers, enterprises, public institutions and other organizations, and has also operated or held interests in telecommunications businesses outside Tunisia. Reference material describes the operator as having more than six million fixed and mobile subscribers in Tunisia and abroad, although the date and methodology behind that figure are not specified. The company has played an important role in expanding connectivity in Tunisia. Its fixed and internet businesses supported the growth of household and institutional access, while its mobile network gave it a nationwide consumer presence. By the end of April 2008, the operator was reported to have approximately 140,000 internet subscribers, illustrating the expansion of internet use during the period. Tunisie Telecom has also participated in national digital-infrastructure programs, including a 2017 agreement with Tunisia's Ministry of Communication Technologies and Digital Transformation to extend high-speed telecommunications services to underserved or white-zone areas. International connectivity has been another part of its infrastructure strategy. In 2009, Huawei Marine Networks delivered the HANNIBAL submarine cable system for Tunisie Telecom, linking Tunisia across the Mediterranean with Italy. The cable strengthened international bandwidth capacity and helped support the country's access to global internet and communications networks. The operator has also introduced digital financial services: in 2010 it worked with the Tunisian Post to launch MobiDinar, a remote mobile-payment service. Tunisie Telecom's corporate development has included activity in neighboring and nearby markets. In June 2016, it acquired a 60 percent stake in GO, a Maltese telecommunications company, from the Emirati investment group EIT for €200 million. This transaction gave Tunisie Telecom a substantial position in a European telecommunications operator. The group has also been associated with Mattel, a Mauritanian telecommunications operator, and a potential sale process involving that subsidiary was reported in 2021. The reference material does not establish the final outcome of that process. The operator has experienced several changes in senior leadership. Ali Ghodhbani retired in 2012 and was succeeded by Mokhtar Mnakri. Salah Jarraya became chief executive in 2014, resigned in July 2015 after a period marked by social movements and strikes, and was replaced by Nizar Bouguila in August 2015. Mohamed Fadhel Kraiem became chief executive in September 2017, followed by Samir Saïed in April 2020 after Kraiem entered government. Syrine Tlili served as interim head from October 2021, and Lassâad Ben Dhiab was appointed chief executive in April 2022. Current leadership, detailed ownership arrangements and current subscriber totals are not established by the supplied sources.
History
Tunisie Telecom is Tunisia's incumbent telecommunications operator. The supplied reference material does not state an original founding year, but identifies the company as a national operator with a central role in fixed-line, mobile and internet communications. Its development has been closely connected with Tunisia's efforts to broaden internet access and modernize communications infrastructure. A significant early indicator of internet expansion was the report that Tunisie Telecom had around 140,000 internet subscribers by the end of April 2008. The operator subsequently strengthened Tunisia's international connectivity through the HANNIBAL submarine cable system. Delivered by Huawei Marine Networks in 2009, the cable connected Tunisia with Italy across the Mediterranean, providing an important route for international telecommunications traffic and internet capacity. Tunisie Telecom also expanded beyond conventional voice and data services. In 2010, it collaborated with the Tunisian Post to launch MobiDinar, a remote mobile-payment service. In November 2014, the company partnered with the Khechine Group to provide telecommunications benefits linked to advantages in the group's tourism services, illustrating an effort to connect communications offerings with commercial and consumer-service partnerships. Leadership changed repeatedly during the 2010s and early 2020s. Ali Ghodhbani retired as chief executive in September 2012 and was succeeded by Mokhtar Mnakri, formerly associated with an Alcatel subsidiary. Salah Jarraya became chief executive in 2014 after Mnakri's term ended. Jarraya resigned on 2 July 2015 following a period described in the reference material as involving social movements and strikes, and Nizar Bouguila was appointed in August of that year. Bouguila was replaced by Mohamed Fadhel Kraiem on 19 September 2017. The operator's international strategy became more prominent in June 2016, when it purchased a 60 percent stake in Malta's GO from the Emirati group EIT for €200 million. The acquisition made Tunisie Telecom a significant shareholder in a European telecommunications operator. In 2017, the company signed a five-year contract with Tunisia's communications ministry to provide high-speed services to white zones, extending the operator's public-infrastructure role into areas with limited connectivity. Mohamed Fadhel Kraiem left the chief executive role on 14 April 2020 after entering government, and Samir Saïed succeeded him. On 12 October 2021, the board appointed Syrine Tlili as interim head after Saïed's appointment to government. In December 2021, Axian was reported to have submitted the highest bid for Mattel, a Mauritanian subsidiary of Tunisie Telecom; the reference material does not establish whether the proposed sale was completed. On 7 April 2022, Lassâad Ben Dhiab, previously the company's chief technical officer, was appointed chief executive. The supplied sources do not provide later leadership, ownership, financial or operating updates.
- 2022
Lassâad Ben Dhiab appointed chief executive
[1]The company's chief technical officer, Lassâad Ben Dhiab, was appointed chief executive on 7 April.
- 2020
Samir Saïed becomes chief executive
[1]Samir Saïed succeeded Mohamed Fadhel Kraiem after Kraiem entered government.
- 2017
White-zone broadband contract
[1]The company signed a five-year agreement to provide high-speed telecommunications coverage to underserved areas in Tunisia.
- 2016
Majority investment in GO Malta
[1]Tunisie Telecom acquired 60 percent of Maltese operator GO from EIT for €200 million.
- 2015
Nizar Bouguila appointed chief executive
[1]Following Salah Jarraya's resignation, Nizar Bouguila took over as chief executive in August.
- 2014
Salah Jarraya appointed chief executive
[1]Salah Jarraya succeeded Mokhtar Mnakri as chief executive.
- 2012
Chief executive succession
[1]Ali Ghodhbani retired and Mokhtar Mnakri became chief executive.
- 2010
MobiDinar launched
[1]Tunisie Telecom and the Tunisian Post launched a remote mobile-payment service.
- 2009
HANNIBAL submarine cable delivered
[1]Huawei Marine Networks delivered the HANNIBAL submarine communications cable connecting Tunisia with Italy.
- 2008
Internet subscriber base reaches approximately 140,000
[1]Tunisie Telecom was reported to have about 140,000 internet subscribers at the end of April.
Products and positioning
National incumbent and infrastructure-oriented telecommunications operator serving consumers, businesses and public-sector institutions in Tunisia, with selected international investments and connectivity activities.
Fixed telecommunications
Fixed-line telephony
Tunisie Telecom's fixed-line business forms part of its incumbent national communications network. It supports traditional voice connectivity for households, organizations and public institutions and provides a base for related fixed broadband and enterprise services. The supplied sources do not identify specific tariff plans or current product names.
Mobile telecommunications
Mobile communications
The operator provides mobile voice and data services in Tunisia and contributes to the company's large combined fixed-and-mobile subscriber base. The reference material does not specify current network generations, plan names or detailed coverage metrics.
Internet access
Internet and broadband access
Tunisie Telecom supplies internet connectivity and has historically been associated with the expansion of internet penetration in Tunisia. Its broadband role includes service for ordinary subscribers as well as higher-speed connectivity initiatives directed at underserved areas.
International network infrastructure · 2009
HANNIBAL submarine cable
HANNIBAL is a submarine communications cable delivered for Tunisie Telecom in 2009. Running across the Mediterranean to Italy, it provides an international connectivity route supporting Tunisia's access to external telecommunications and internet networks.
Mobile financial service · 2010
MobiDinar
MobiDinar was a remote mobile-payment service launched by Tunisie Telecom in cooperation with the Tunisian Post in 2010. The supplied sources identify the service and partnership but do not provide current availability or detailed functionality.
Business telecommunications · 2017
Enterprise and high-speed connectivity
The company provides telecommunications connectivity for businesses and public-sector customers. Its 2017 white-zone agreement specifically covered high-speed services for areas with limited connectivity, reinforcing its role as a national infrastructure provider.
Marketing campaigns
- 2014Khechine Group tourism-services partnership
Tunisia
Tunisie Telecom partnered with the Khechine Group to offer telecommunications benefits connected with advantages on the group's tourism services.
Outcome. The supplied sources do not state the partnership's duration or measurable outcome.
Brand decisions
2021
Reported bid for MattelM&ABackground
Tunisie Telecom was associated with Mauritanian operator Mattel, and a potential divestment process attracted outside interest.
Action taken
Axian reportedly submitted the highest bid among potential buyers for Mattel.
Aftermath
The available material describes the bid but does not confirm whether the transaction closed.
Reported bid value. Approximately €100 million (December 2021)
2017
White-zone high-speed service programStrategyBackground
Some Tunisian areas had limited access to high-speed telecommunications services.
Action taken
Tunisie Telecom signed a five-year contract with the communications ministry to extend high-speed services to white zones.
Aftermath
The agreement reinforced the operator's public-service and national-connectivity role. No coverage or financial results are provided in the source material.
2016
Acquisition of a majority stake in GO MaltaM&ABackground
Tunisie Telecom pursued international expansion beyond its Tunisian domestic network.
Action taken
The company purchased a 60 percent share of Maltese operator GO from EIT.
Aftermath
Tunisie Telecom became a significant shareholder in a European telecommunications operator. The reported transaction value was €200 million.
Purchase price. €200 million (June 2016)
2010
Launch of MobiDinarProduct launchBackground
Mobile communications were being extended into digital and financial services.
Action taken
Tunisie Telecom and the Tunisian Post introduced the MobiDinar remote mobile-payment service.
Aftermath
The launch expanded the operator's activity beyond voice and connectivity, although the available material does not report adoption or later status.
2009
International capacity expansion through HANNIBALOtherBackground
Tunisia required stronger international communications capacity as internet and digital-service usage developed.
Action taken
Tunisie Telecom commissioned the HANNIBAL submarine cable system, delivered by Huawei Marine Networks, linking Tunisia with Italy.
Aftermath
The cable added a Mediterranean international connectivity route. The supplied sources do not quantify its subsequent traffic or commercial effects.
Recent events
U2opia Mobile partners with four operators to provide Fonetwish services[2]
Reported:
U2opia Mobile rolled out services enabled by its Fonetwish platform with Claro in Guatemala, MTN in South Sudan and South Africa, Viettel in Vietnam, and Tunisie Telecom in Tunisia. The services let mobile users access services including Facebook and Twitter without an active internet or data connection.
Sources2 sources
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