Design and Implementation of an Automated Revenue and Traffic Control System for Telecommunications/ICT Operators

Context and Justification

The telecommunications sector in Côte d’Ivoire is a dynamic sector that significantly contributes to the economy’s productivity. Since its liberalization in 1995, this sector has experienced exceptional growth. Such rapid growth entails major challenges, including accurately monitoring the real volume of telephone traffic and the related revenues.

Indeed, the revenue reported by telecommunication operators largely comes from national traffic, while revenues from international traffic are not fully controlled. In 2013, the total revenue of the fixed and mobile telephony market exceeded 920 billion CFA francs, with more than 19.3 million mobile subscribers and over 272,000 fixed-line subscribers.

A specific feature of the Ivorian market is that 99% of mobile subscribers are prepaid, and the revenues they generate do not necessarily produce accounting documents verifiable by competent authorities (the Tax Administration). These revenues represent, on average, 70% of mobile operators’ total revenue. The lack of control over these revenues likely negatively impacts the VAT base and other taxes, resulting in lost revenue for the State.

To address this gap, the 2011 fiscal annex, in Article 32, established a telecommunications tax. This tax, set at 5% in 2014, is levied on the annual turnover (excluding taxes) of telecommunication companies operating in Côte d’Ivoire. Part of the proceeds is allocated to funding traffic control and fraud prevention actions in telecommunications.

Objectives of the Mission

The main objective of the mission is to design and implement an automated control system for:
a) the revenues of telecommunications operators (mobile and fixed) and the value of transactions related to “Mobile Money,” including money transfers, electronic payment for goods and services, etc.;
b) all voice, data, SMS, MMS, USSD traffic, and the volume of transactions related to “Mobile Money” of telecommunications operators (mobile and fixed).

The revenues subject to control come mainly from:
a) communications of prepaid fixed and mobile subscribers;
b) communications of postpaid fixed and mobile subscribers;
c) “Mobile Money” transactions of subscribers;
d) interconnection and incoming international traffic;
e) roaming of visiting customers.

Activities to Be Carried Out

The following activities must be conducted to achieve the mission objectives:
a) conduct a study on the current state of operators’ network infrastructures to design the revenue and traffic control system;
b) provide and install all necessary equipment and applications to control operators’ revenue and traffic;
c) perform functional, reliability, security, and robustness tests of the system and conduct overall acceptance testing of all installations;
d) provide training and assistance for the designated personnel to take full control of the system.

Consultant Profiles

This consultation targets companies specialized in telecommunications/ICT (engineering, solution integration, etc.).

The Consultant must meet the following requirements:
a) demonstrate proven expertise in Telecommunications/ICT;
b) have at least five (5) years of experience in managing and executing projects of similar complexity;
c) employ qualified personnel, including experts with higher education degrees, strong knowledge of Telecommunications/ICT, telecommunication networks (equipment, communication protocols, etc.), and experience in similar or complex projects.

If the applicant is a Consultant, they must necessarily be in partnership with a telecom solutions integrator or have duly justified technical partnerships with manufacturers or telecom solution integrators for this mission.

Interested companies or consortia must also provide information and evidence demonstrating their qualifications to perform the described services, including:
– brochures describing general experience;
– references concerning experience in executing similar contracts (similar projects);
– human resources to be mobilized.

Participation Conditions

Expressions of interest must be submitted in French no later than May 22, 2014, at 11:00 a.m., Abidjan time, to the address below in a sealed envelope marked: “Expression of Interest for the Design and Implementation of an Automated Revenue and Traffic Control System for Telecommunications/ICT Operators”. Submissions must include five (5) copies, including one original, and an encrypted electronic version to the address below:

Candidates may, between April 22, 2014, and May 22, 2014, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.:
– either collect the Expression of Interest and information dossier at the address above;
– or request that the Expression of Interest and information dossier be sent by email to an address they provide.