ARPCE Sounds the Alarm on Unapproved Devices: Algeria Poised for a Revival of Domestic Smartphone Manufacturing
✍️ BY: Dr. Hana Saada
Algiers – November 2025 – The Authority for the Regulation of Post and Electronic Communications (ARPCE) has issued a firm warning against the use of unapproved communication devices, including mobile phones, underscoring growing concerns about non-compliant imports that flood the Algerian market. This move comes as the regulator seeks to restore order to a sector increasingly dominated by “cabas” — a term commonly used to describe products informally imported and sold outside official distribution channels.
The ARPCE’s announcement, which follows a similar alert by the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications concerning unauthorized GSM amplifiers, signals a clear intent to tighten control over the communications equipment market. It also suggests that the authority is preparing the ground for a much-anticipated revival of domestic smartphone production — an industry once promising, now set for renewal under stricter regulatory oversight.
Despite the legal requirement that all communication devices emitting radiation must be certified before commercialization, the reality on the ground remains starkly different. Algeria’s mobile phone market continues to be saturated with products of dubious origin — often sold without original packaging, manuals, or traceable documentation. Vendors typically justify this by claiming these phones “travelled in bags,” a euphemism for informal importation.
The ARPCE’s latest warning underscores that such non-approved devices “may exceed authorized limits in terms of emitted radiation,” potentially posing “health risks due to prolonged exposure.” In addition to the health threat, the authority highlighted the negative impact of these devices on communication quality and network compatibility, particularly emphasizing the danger that some might be unable to connect to emergency services such as the police, civil protection, or medical assistance.
This initiative also aligns with the broader strategy to protect national investors and create a level playing field for Algerian manufacturers. The authority’s strong message is seen as a prelude to tighter regulation of the market — a necessary step to curb unfair competition from informally imported devices that undermine local production.
During the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF), Condor, one of Algeria’s major electronic manufacturers, reaffirmed its commitment to reviving the local mobile industry. During President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s visit to its exhibition stand, company executives reiterated their dual ambition: to capture the domestic market while expanding exports, particularly towards the African continent.
From a legal standpoint, the ARPCE reminded that equipment approval is not optional but a mandatory process governed by Decision No. 28 of October 16, 2019. Every compliant device must bear the label “Approved by ARPCE” followed by an official certification number. This marking, the regulator emphasized, “is your guarantee” that the equipment has successfully passed all conformity and safety tests conducted in Algeria.
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