Mobile telecommunications operator Vodafone Egypt has signed an agreement that will allow it to offer 3G services on its network, says Mohannad El-Megharbel, senior telecoms planning engineer at the National Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (NTRA).
"The sale of the 3G licence eventually went for 3.34 billion Egyptian pounds (R4.3 billion) last week and was attended by the leaders of the NTRA, Vodafone Egypt and key players in the market," says El-Megharbel.
The licence is valid for 15 years and carries a 2.4% remuneration fee from Vodafone Egypt's annual revenues, according to the NTRA Web site.
The licence stipulates Vodafone Egypt will start providing 3G mobile services using EDGE, HSUPA, HSDPA and UMTS technologies. This will allow the provision of video calls, video messages, high-speed downloading of files and data transfer, high-speed Internet services, MBMS services, mobile TV, positioning services and push-to-view services.
In a Vodafone Egypt press release, CEO Ian Gray says: "The 3G applications will be launched as soon as the infrastructure, which has been under way for some time now, is complete."
He adds that using 3G applications does not imply the end of 2G and 2.5G. "They will remain the backbone of this industry, especially for the majority of users whose dependence on mobile is limited to voice calls and short text messages."
Gray says Vodafone Egypt has invested R4.35 billion in network development and infrastructure in the past two years. Vodafone's cumulative investment in Egypt to date totals R11.2 billion, he notes.
Related article:
Vodafone Egypt pushes for 3G licence
UAE telco wins $3bn Egyptian licence
Share