-The National Telecom Regulatory Authority grants licenses worth $675 million to the four mobile phone companies

By: Mohamed Elkholy

Today, Dr. Amr Talaat, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, witnessed the signing ceremony of granting the license to operate 5G mobile phone services between the National Telecom Regulatory Authority and Orange Egypt for Telecommunications, Vodafone Egypt for Telecommunications, and E& Egypt, under the same conditions that Telecom Egypt had signed on the basis of last January.

The total value of the licenses to operate 5G mobile phone networks granted to the four companies amounts to approximately $675 million in exchange for 5G licenses and renewing licenses for previous generations for 15 years without granting new frequency bands.

Dr. Amr Talaat also witnessed the signing ceremony of the specifications and controls for launching 5G mobile phone services between the National Telecom Regulatory Authority and Telecom Egypt.

The agreement was signed by Eng. Mohamed Shamroukh, CEO of the National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA), Eng. Yasser Shaker, Managing Director of Orange Egypt, Eng. Mohamed Kamal Abdullah, CEO and Managing Director of Vodafone Egypt, Eng. Hazem Metwally, CEO and Managing Director of E& Egypt, and Eng. Mohamed Nasr El-Din, Managing Director and CEO of Telecom Egypt.

It is worth noting that Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister, and Dr. Amr Talaat had witnessed the signing of the license to operate fifth-generation mobile phone services between the NTRA and Telecom Egypt last January.

On the sidelines of the signing, Dr. Amr Talaat stated that the availability of 5G technologies will positively reflect on the national economy and Egypt's ranking in international indicators in the communications and information technology sector as one of the main pillars in strengthening the country's digital infrastructure, explaining that 5G technologies will have a significant impact on achieving digital transformation as 5G networks provide high speeds that will drive the digital transformation process and achieve Egypt's vision for development goals. 5G technologies are also a pivotal factor in enhancing and expanding Internet of Things services, which is one of the most important pillars of the Fourth Industrial Revolution as it enables the operation of smart city systems and digital services in various state sectors.

While Eng. Mohamed Shamroukh, CEO of the National Telecom Regulatory Authority, confirmed that launching 5G services in Egypt represents an important step to enhance the capabilities of the communications market, noting that this step reflects the state's commitment to providing the latest technologies and providing innovative services to users.

He added that the Authority is constantly working to improve the quality of services provided and ensure that society benefits from modern technological developments. He also pointed out that the Authority has made great efforts in cooperation with partners to achieve this step, which will contribute to providing innovative solutions that meet the needs of various sectors and provide advanced user experiences at the level of individuals and companies. He stressed that the Authority will continue its efforts to ensure the provision of advanced communications services that keep pace with international standards and enhance Egypt's position as a leading regional center in providing advanced technology.

For his part, Eng. Yasser Shaker, CEO and Managing Director of Orange Egypt, expressed his appreciation for the efforts made by the Egyptian state in providing the fifth generation services license in conjunction with the continuous improvement in economic indicators, which is considered a strategic step towards enabling Egypt to keep pace with the global communications bandwagon. Shaker added that the fifth generation technology will contribute to improving the speed of the Internet and the capacity of the Orange network, which is vital to enhancing the company's competitiveness and its ability to provide distinguished services to its customers.

Shaker also indicated that the fifth generation will open new horizons in the future for innovative uses such as artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things, and stressed that these technologies will play a pivotal role in accelerating digital transformation projects, which have become an essential part of Egypt's future vision. Shaker concluded his statement by emphasizing Orange Egypt's commitment to sustainable investment in developing its infrastructure, to ensure the provision of advanced telecommunications services that meet the aspirations of its customers, while effectively contributing to supporting the state's efforts to achieve sustainable economic and social development.

 Eng. Mohamed Kamal Abdullah, CEO and Managing Director of Vodafone Egypt, stated that we are proud and happy to obtain the 5G license to lead, as usual, the technological and digital development in Egypt, as we are the global leader in this advanced technology. We consider it a pivotal step in our ambitious journey to build a more advanced digital future, as technology has become an essential part of the daily lives of all Egyptians. He added that Vodafone's global experience represents the main pillar in launching 5G technology in 34 countries around the world, and we are now happy to transfer this experience to the Egyptian market, which represents a qualitative leap for our services in this important market, to ensure the provision of high-quality services to our customers.

The fifth generation will also open unprecedented horizons for many vital sectors in the country, in addition to meeting the changing needs of the market, which is clearly reflected in the huge investments pumped by Vodafone Egypt to develop the infrastructure and networks.

In this regard, Eng. Hazem Metwally, CEO of E&Misr, stated: “We are pleased that E&Misr has obtained the 5G mobile license, which is a confirmation of our position in the Egyptian market and our constant keenness to provide the latest technological solutions to our customers, in line with the company’s leadership since the beginning of its work in the market for the latest technology, starting with the third and fourth generations and finally the fifth generation.

” Metwally added that this important step came in cooperation with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and the National Telecom Regulatory Authority, and confirms the company’s position in the Egyptian market and its commitment to pumping the required investments to provide the highest level of services to its customers, which also contributes to strengthening the Egyptian state’s plans and efforts for digital transformation in accordance with Egypt’s Vision 2030, and is in line with the company’s transformation into an integrated technology group that provides many innovative technological solutions and services to its customers in Egypt in many fields in addition to the communications sector.

For his part, Eng. Mohamed Nasr, Managing Director and CEO of Telecom Egypt, said: “Telecom Egypt is always keen to be at the forefront of companies that adopt the latest information and communications technology, ensuring that its customers’ advanced needs are met. I am proud that the company has obtained the first license to provide 5G services, which is the cornerstone of future technological development, achieving sustainability and giving us the ability to continue meeting our customers’ needs and maximizing our shareholders’ wealth.

” He added: “We have come a long way during the past period in terms of preparing our network to launch 5G services, and we have the ability to provide services at any time.” It is worth noting that by signing the licenses, all mobile companies have obtained a license to operate 5G networks, in a step that supports technological development in the communications infrastructure and works to enhance competitiveness in the Egyptian market in terms of basic services and value-added services.

This also comes within the framework of the Egyptian government’s keenness to provide the latest communications services in a manner that meets the needs of all sectors of the state, from individuals to companies, and in light of encouraging investment in the communications sector and enhancing free competition between companies.