Telecom Egypt, Vodafone sign EGP 30 bln deals for 5G tech deployment
The agreements are designed to improve Vodafone Egypt's network, allowing the company to deliver high-quality services to its customers while also supporting its readiness to launch 5G services.
Vodafone Egypt's CEO and Managing Director Mohamed Abdِallah and Telecom Egypt's CEO Mohamed Nasr signed the deals in the presence of Minister of Communications and Information Technology Amr Talaat and the CEO of the National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA) Mohamed Shamroukh.
The deals align with Telecom Egypt's strategic plan to expand the deployment and use of fibre-optic networks across Egypt, which form the foundation for the delivery of 5G services.
These agreements are significant because they are a key enabler for the rollout of 5G services. Both companies will work together to provide better services to Egyptian citizens.
Fibre-optic connection is an advanced technology that enables transmitting information as light signals rather than electrical signals.
During the signing ceremony, Minister Talaat emphasized that these agreements reflect the ongoing advancements in Egypt's telecommunications and information technology (ICT) sectors, particularly with the recent granting of 5G licenses to telecom operators in the country.
According to the State Information Service, the ICT sector's contribution to GDP was five percent in FY2022/2023, and the target is to reach eight percent by 2030.
The minister noted that 5G services require a robust fibre-optic network to connect the towers, which offer this new technology.
Furthermore, he highlighted the steps taken in recent years to strengthen the mobile network infrastructure, including issuing 5G licenses to mobile operators earlier this year, supported by investments totalling $675 million.
In related news, the NTRA signed agreements with Egypt's three leading telecom companies — Orange Egypt, Vodafone Egypt, and e& Egypt — granting them 5G mobile services licenses.
In January, NTRA also signed a $150 million agreement with Telecom Egypt for a 15-year license to operate 5G services.
The partnership between Telecom Egypt and Vodafone Egypt includes developing a messaging services agreement that will extend until 2031. This agreement covers Vodafone Egypt's network's current and future expansions.
The agreement also includes a fibre-optic connection arrangement for Vodafone Egypt's mobile sites over four years.