Everyday communication commonly uses face-to-face exchange, local oral mediation, public notices, radio and television, alongside telephony, postal services and internet-based tools. Mobile voice calls and SMS remain especially relevant because fixed-line access is much less significant. In 2024, active mobile-broadband subscriptions reached 3.5 million, or 17.3 per 100 inhabitants. Mobile ownership was recorded at 44.3%, so subscription figures do not represent the number of individual users. Coverage reached at least 86.9% for 2G, 84.5% for 3G and 60% for LTE or WiMAX, while 5G coverage was recorded at 0%. Airtel and Tigo accounted for 49.5% and 50.5% of the 2024 mobile market respectively; current company information may refer to Tigo as Moov Africa Tchad, while some ARCEP listings still use Tigo. Sotel Tchad has a role in fixed services, fibre and backbone infrastructure. Internet access mainly depends on mobile data, and the internet service provider market is fragmented; ARCEP publishes a list of authorised providers. Prices depend on the provider, bundle, device and location, with tariffs subject to ARCEP oversight rather than one national flat rate. Electricity interruptions, weak coverage, device prices and data costs can all limit reliable access. STPE/La Poste provides letters, courrier recommandé, express services, parcels, tracking, post-office boxes and delivery to an address where available. The STPE office on Avenue de Brazza in N’Djamena is listed with opening hours of 07:30 to 15:30. Postal prices and delivery times depend on the service, weight and destination, and no single verified national schedule covers every shipment. The Ministry of Telecommunications, Digital Economy and Administrative Digitalisation develops policy, while ARCEP regulates electronic communications and postal services, monitors providers, oversees tariffs and consumer protection, and handles disputes. ARCEP offers online forms for requests, licences and approvals and lists info@arcep.td and +235 22 52 15 16/17 as contact details. Gouv Connect provides an electronic government channel, but its usefulness depends on internet access. ANSICE deals with cybersecurity, certification and data-protection functions. Chad’s relevant legal framework includes Laws 013/PR/2014 and 014/PR/2014 on electronic communications, Law 015/PR/2014 on postal activities, Law 007/PR/2015 on personal data, Law 008/PR/2015 on electronic transactions and Law 009/PR/2015 on cybercrime. Chad ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2019; its provisions on information and communication access cover accessible formats and support such as sign-language interpretation, reading assistance and other aids. Nationwide relay, sign-language, Braille and captioning services have not been consistently evidenced, so practical access may rely on a companion, oral mediation or visual and local-language material. During the COVID-19 response, information was provided in French and Arabic as well as ten local languages, including visual material. A service complaint normally begins with the provider, STPE or the relevant agency and can then be referred to ARCEP. For a dispute, record the number, date, location, tariff or receipt and relevant technical details; a postal claim should begin at the originating agency or through STPE support.
Communication in Chad
Communication in Chad combines face-to-face conversation, mobile voice calls and SMS, postal services, and digital channels. Mobile communication is the most widely relevant channel: in 2024 Chad had 14.8 million mobile subscriptions, equal to 72.9 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants, while internet use was 12.6% of the population. French and Arabic are the official communication languages, with Chadian Arabic and local languages often supporting understanding in community, health and public information. Access, costs and reliability vary with coverage, electricity, device, data bundle and location.
Tip
Choose mobile voice or SMS for routine and time-sensitive contact when coverage, power and the device are dependable. Use face-to-face or oral mediation when connectivity is weak, and use registered or trackable postal services when you need evidence that a document was sent. Treat mobile data and Gouv Connect as conditional tools, and check the provider, location, cost and accessibility needs before relying on them.

