Casablanca Intensifies Financial Pressure on Telecom Operators

The city of Casablanca has taken a significant step towards resolving long-standing financial disputes with its telecommunications operators regarding the use of public land. In a recent initiative, municipal technical services have begun negotiations with active telecom providers to accurately assess outstanding debts, clear unresolved financial situations, and establish a rigorous payment schedule. This move aims not only to improve local finances but also to fund essential urban development projects, as highlighted in a report by Assabah.

This renewed focus on financial accountability is part of a broader strategy by the Casablanca municipality to strengthen regulatory mechanisms and optimize revenue from public resources, which are crucial for the realization of urban development initiatives. Financial estimates indicate that annual fees and associated taxes from the three main telecom operators amount to between 40 to 60 million dirhams per year. Currently, the city hosts between 1,500 and 2,100 transmission towers and relay antennas, located on municipal property or atop urban structures. According to the tax schedule established by fiscal decree No. 1/2018, which sets the fee at 20,000 dirhams per antenna, the city could generate between 30 to 40 million dirhams annually, excluding revenues from underground infrastructure.

Additionally, the extensive networks of fiber optics and cabling running beneath the city’s streets contribute significantly to the financial landscape. At a linear rate of 6 dirhams per meter, these networks yield millions of dirhams each year, especially as they continue to expand into new residential and economic zones. Moreover, the proliferation of digital cabinets and distribution points, which have surged alongside the growth of fixed-line telephony and high-speed internet, further enhances the city's revenue. Each of these units, averaging at 2,000 dirhams per unit, adds a substantial amount to the metropolis’s tax base, thereby solidifying its financial foundation.

As reported by fr.le360.ma.