Egypt’s New Interium Govt To Suspend Integrated Operator License

An official source in Telecom Egypt (TE) said the delaying to form new government will disable to grant the company an integrated operator license, pointing out that National Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (NTRA) is planning to offer the license service prices on the Cabinet.

The source added to Amwal Al Ghad  that the company does not own information regarding the time for offering the license which it is scheduled to be offered during the first half of July 2013.

The source has emphasized that Telecom Egypt (TE) is still in negotiations with mobile phone operators so as to solve the six points which announced by NTRA since many months,noting that the entirely decision is with NTRA and the Ministry to offer the license.

Dr. Amr Badawi, CEO of NTRA has asserted that TE sells its share from Vodafone Egypt that estimated around 45% does not come with the controversy points which NTRA is aiming to finalize them before the offering of TE for the integrated operator license.

Badawi added to Amwal al Ghad  that TE and and mobile phone operating in the market will face six main problems and it must finalize them before granting an integrated operator license related to the quality of service.

He stressed that the current dilemma between internet companies and TE Data concerning ‘converting internet customers’ is one of the main problems which NTRA is seeking to finalize before TE’s granting for the integrated license.

He has emphasized that NTRA has not yet reached to resolve on the acquisition of customers, noting that the current problem lies within the “monopolistic practices” carried out by the TE , which tries to finish them.

Moreover, Badawi has pointed out that the linkage between Etisalat Egypt and TE is one of the outstanding problems between the two companies which should be resolved as soon as possible, stressing that the share of Telecom Egypt in Vodafone Egypt, estimated at 45% of the company’s shares does not come within the controversy points that targeting to solve by NTRA.