The Egyptian government recently set a controversial license fee at 1.975 billion Egyptian pounds ($475.9 million) for the establishment of the nation’s third mobile telephone network. The contract will allow the Egyptian Telecom Company (ETC) to begin GSM operations in the country.
Until now, the Egyptian Company for Mobile Services, (ECMS) or MobiNil and Misrfone, or Click GSM have enjoyed a five-year exclusivity term over such services, according to Al-Hayat daily.
Operations are expected to begin in December 2002, and ETC the firm will also provide GPRS services to help maintain market competitiveness amongst other companies. The company reportedly expected to receive its new license for free from the Egyptian government.
The chief executive of the Egyptian Telecommunication Authority, Fakria Allam, estimated the number of mobile subscribers in Egypt at 2.86 million. The number of the mobile subscribers presently increases by 100 percent annually. It is expected that the country’s subscriber base will grow to six million by 2005 and to 13 million in 2010. — (MENA Report)
© 2001 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
