Egypt to Begin Allocating New Mobile Spectrum Under $3. 5bn Telecom Deal - The Middle East Observer
Egypt is set to begin allocating newly acquired mobile spectrum to telecommunications operators in July, marking the next phase of the country’s record US$3. 5 billion spectrum agreement signed earlier this year to expand network capacity and support future digital services. The National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA) announced the landmark agreement in February, under which 410 MHz of additional spectrum […]
Egypt is set to begin allocating newly acquired mobile spectrum to telecommunications operators in July, marking the next phase of the country’s recordUS$3. 5 billionspectrum agreement signed earlier this year to expand network capacity and support future digital services. The National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority(NTRA) announced the landmark agreement in February, under which410 MHzof additional spectrum was allocated to the country’s four mobile operators—Telecom Egypt (WE), Vodafone Egypt, Orange Egypt and e& Egypt. The new allocation is equivalent to the total spectrum assigned to Egypt’s mobile industry over the past three decades. According to a government official cited byAsharq Bloomberg, mobile operators collectively paidUS$500 millionduring the first quarter of 2026 and are expected to pay a furtherUS$300 millionin early 2027, with the remaining balance payable in annual instalments through 2030. The expanded spectrum is intended to improve mobile network quality, accommodate rapidly growing data traffic and support the rollout of next-generation digital services, reinforcing Egypt’s broader digital transformation strategy and enhancing the capacity of one of the Middle East’s largest telecommunications markets. The government has not officially confirmed the operator-by-operator rollout timetable, although a government official indicated that spectrum distribution would begin in July. Related news:Egypt Embraces WIFI-Calling Boosting Telecommunications QualityITIDA Targets $6bn in Digital Services Exports for 2026 with New Freelancer IncentivesRead also:El-Sisi Accelerates Suez Canal Shipbuilding Strategy as Exports Reach EuropeOman and France Forge Strategic Investment Partnership Through 12-Deal Economic Package