Century ago, the discrepancies of a ruthless colonial regime, based on systematic discrimination and segregation against Algerians, manifested in various aspects of life, notably in access to public services. The management of postal and telecommunications is the greatest evidence , given that postal services were specifically intended for colonists and exclusively located in residential areas reserved for the them.
The postal network inherited from the colonial era was marked by two characteristics: weakness and exclusion. At the end of 1962, there were 826 post offices, in operation nationwide, many of which were out of service due to the war of liberation. Algiers, for example, had 31 post offices, for which only 13 were in services when national sovereignty was restored. As for the working resources available in 1962, they were limited to 5 franking machines, 10 calculating machines, 150 stamping machines, and 5 scales.
However, over a long period in which there was a lack of balance and deteriorated state of sector’s infrastructure with a lack of means and logistical resources, severe shortage of human resources was recorded in the institutions responsible for providing postal and telecommunications services.
These institutions had only a very limited number of qualified professionals, no more than two (02) inspectors, ten (10) technical controllers, and fifteen (15) technical agents, the most supervisory positions were exclusive to the French.
In view of the technology and precision of post and telecommunications infrastructure, human capital became the main obstacle faced by the sector after independence. This shortage was spur to take up the challenge of regaining sovereignty over the sector. So it was imperative to overcome this challenge to guarantee the continuity of services by relying on the potential of their children and the ambition and determination of Algerian people, to enable every citizen, in every corner of our vast territory, to benefit from the services of this important infrastructure.
Algeria effectively, undertook the training of employees in the sector and invested in improving their skills by establishing the National School of Telecommunications Studies (ENET) in 1964. Between 1964 and 1969, this school trained and qualified around fifty (50) inspectors and technical controllers, as well as one hundred and ten (110) agents.
As part of its development strategy, the sector has always placed particular emphasis on training, notably through two pioneering institutions, the National Institute of Post and Information and Communication Technologies (INPTIC) in Algiers, and the National Institute of Telecommunications (INTTIC) in Oran. These two institutions have now evolved into two national higher schools, directing their training programs towards high-level management in line with the developments and needs of digital transformation and the knowledge economy.
THE FIRST ALGERIAN POSTAGE STAMP’S ISSUE
On November 1, 1962 at 5:15 pm, in independent Algeria, the first postage stamp was issued. It is undeniably exceptional postage stamp, the most symbolic of all, produced using entirely Algerian resources and bearing for the first time in Arabic language titled “People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria”.
The green stamp featured Algeria’s flying flag highlighting its geographical borders and underlining its belonging to the African sphere and Arab-Muslim culture. It also carries deep symbolism, notably that of solidarity among the people.
Its value was initially estimated at 1 franc, to which was added 9 francs intended for the families of the glorious liberation revolution martyrs’, this stamp is known as the “ 1+9” stamp especially among philatelic collectors .
The print run of 12 825 copies of “1+9” stamp and it was quickly sold out at post offices in an atmosphere of enthusiasm and conviviality between citizens end postal employees.
In addition to its commitment to upgrading human capital and training skills, the government focused its attention in the decade after following independence, on the need to maintain the proper functioning of equipment despite its obsolescence.
The telecommunications sector experienced considerable growth in 1970 with successive development plans aimed at expanding the telephone network through the intensive introduction of technologies available at that time.
During this period, the sector’s mission was to support the dynamic economic development that the country experienced in both industrial and agricultural terms.
This decade was also marked by the promulgation of the sector’s first regulatory law, Ordinance no. 75-89 of December 30, 1975, relating to post and telecommunications law, which the provisions were compiled applicable to postal and telecommunications operations in effect from independence to 1975. The provisions of this law entrusted the Ministry with the mission of determining the sector’s policy and the role of regulator and operator of post and telecommunications services.
The early 80s saw the development of the switching and transmission network, notably through the gradual introduction of digital transmission using coaxial cables and Hertz bundles. At the same time, transmission systems using analog Hertz fibers have appeared, particularly in the sections linking east and west, such as the link between Annaba and Tlemcen over a distance of 1 000 km and the link between northern and southern Algeria (Algiers – Laghouat) over a distance of 430 km. As well, the section crossing the south, linking eight desert towns from Ghardaïa, a total distance of around 1.900 km.
For mountainous regions and isolated localities, it has been decided to provide telecommunications services via the rural radio communication system.
The early 90s saw the installation of fiber-optic cables to replace older transmission systems, notably coaxial cables. At the same time, analog transmission techniques have been replaced by digital technologies, marking the introduction of large transmission links based on unified optical fibers. These, were the first features of the nationwide fiber-optic core network.
On the other hand, the Internet project was launched in 1998, with the aim of establishing a network comprising a main network core in Algiers and secondary regional distribution points in Oran and Constantine, as well as 12 other access points across the country’s other wilayas.
At the start of the second millennium, the government undertook a far-reaching reform of sector, promulgating Law 2000-03 of August 5, 2000, laying down the general rules governing post and telecommunications, in order to meet the challenges of the 21st century and integrate Algeria into the information society.
In this new situation, modern solutions have been adopted to develop the telecommunications sector in Algeria, including:
- The satellite solution, to enable citizens living in isolated areas to access new technologies;
- The use of the electromagnetic wave spectrum, considered a scarce resource for the development of the sector;
- The creation of technology parks as essential tools for economic development and poles of excellence and cornerstones for the construction of a knowledge-based society, as well the promotion of a digital economy as an alternative to the hydrocarbon-based economy.
As further development of post and telecommunications services, Law 18-04 of May 10, 2018 setting out the general rules relating to post and electronic communications was promulgated with the aim of guaranteeing quality and transparency in a competitive environment, while ensuring their improvement for the benefit of the public interest. All this will be done 6in line with the developments and changes encountered by the information society.
Today’s Algeria attaches great importance to equitable empowerment for all its citizens, wherever they are, in order to benefit from telecommunications services, particularly via the internet, by exploiting all available technologies. According to data from the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), Algeria is today among the countries with one of the highest rates of lindline internet access in its geographical region, based on Africa’s leading fiber optic network, over 200.000 km in length.
Actually, the post and telecommunications sector is mobilized to contribute to the realization of the commitments made by the President of the Republic. Particularly in the field of digitization and digital transformation, and also to reinforce the development of an economic ecosystem that meets international standards, allowing any economic operator, private or public, national or foreign, to manage its operations using reliable and efficient technologies.
In conclusion, the sector is working to strengthen infrastructure capacities and improve communication and internet services, thus contributing, in collaboration with other ministerial departments concerned, to achieving digital transformation and generalizing the use of information and communication technologies in various fields, covering all segments of Algerian society.
The history of the post and telecommunications sector is seen as a representative example of the determination of an Algerian people committed to managing its own matters with sovereignty and independence. Moving from the exclusion and discrimination that characterized its services before the recovery of national sovereignty to fairness and equality for the benefit of the public service in independent Algeria.
Today, the postal sector, while valuing these achievements, keeps abreast of developments in social life. It is therefore a significant example of the gains and paradigm shift achieved by Algeria since its independence, and the effort made with renewed determination to enable all citizens, in all regions of our country, to benefit from high-quality services and strengthen their chances of integration into the information society, by making widespread use of information and communication technologies.