Egypt’s state-owned telecommunications company, Telecom Egypt, has obtained a 15-year license from the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA) to operate 5G, making it the first mobile operator in the country to do so.
The license is valued at US$150 million and will enable the company to roll out high-speed networks with increased data speeds and network capacity. However, there is no guarantee of automatic renewal or additional benefits at the end of the agreement.
Telecom Egypt reported a 48% net profit for the first nine months of 2023 and aims to leverage its 5G network to enhance connectivity, control more devices, and support Egypt’s digital transformation efforts.
The company has also partnered with telecom wholesale company Zain Omantel International Company (ZOI) to develop new digital infrastructure and establish a data transfer route connecting Europe, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Arabian Gulf via terrestrial and submarine pathways. However, Telecom Egypt has recently announced a 30% price increase for its landline internet packages, effective January 5th, following earlier decisions made by telecommunication companies in Egypt to raise prices for mobile recharge packages.
Reports suggest that the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority might endorse a decision to increase service prices to incentivise operators to obtain 5G licenses.
The Information and Decision Support Centre (IDSC) has indicated that Egypt has been actively working to develop and deploy 5G networks and applications of artificial intelligence since 2021. By 2030, the ten African markets projected to lead in 5G technology are Morocco, Algeria, South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria, Sudan, Kenya, Ghana, Tanzania, and Ethiopia.
