The National Regulatory Authority for Information and Communication Technologies (ARN-TIC) of Guinea-Bissau has issued a new regulation to update and modernize its telecom licensing framework. The decision was made through Order No. 3/CA/ARN/2025, approved by ARN’s Board of Directors in an extraordinary session held on May 29.

With rapid advances in digital technology and a growing telecommunications market, ARN says this change is necessary to keep pace with international trends and support digital transformation across the country.

Introduction of the Single Individual License for Telecom Operators:

A new license category called the Single Individual License is being introduced. This license will be required for any telecom operator that wants to manage and run mobile networks and services using 2G, 3G, 4G, or 5G technologies.

The license is designed to be technology-neutral, meaning it can also cover future technologies that may be introduced during the license period, as long as they comply with national laws.

Key Rules:

• Renewals of existing telecom licenses must follow the new rules set for the Single Individual License.

• Current licenses will remain valid until their expiry date, but they will automatically expire and be revoked once that date is reached.

• Any earlier rules that conflict with this new order are now cancelled.

The new framework is based on principles such as technological neutrality, service convergence, and the promotion of innovation and investment to support Guinea-Bissau’s digital economy.

The Board emphasized that public consultation was held before finalizing the order, in line with national law (Law No. 5/2010 of May 27).

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