NTRA confirms mobile phone exemption still valid for travellers

Egypt’s National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA) confirmed that the tax exemption for one mobile phone brought into the country by each traveller remains in effect during the trial phase of the mobile phone governance system.

This clarification came in response to recent concerns raised on social media about the alleged retroactive suspension of mobile phones brought by travellers and the cancellation of previously granted exemptions.

According to an official statement from the authority, about 650,000 mobile phones brought into the country by travellers have been exempted since the beginning of the year.

The NTRA noted that, during its routine monitoring of the mobile phone governance system, it had detected several cases of manipulation and fraud. As a result, around 60,000 devices were suspended due to suspicions over their eligibility for exemption. These devices will remain suspended pending the completion of inspection procedures.

Following an investigation into these cases over the past few days, the NTRA confirmed that 13,000 devices had obtained exemptions through illegal means and in violation of the regulatory procedures, and therefore their suspension will continue. Meanwhile, the authority verified the eligibility of 47,000 mobile phones for exemption and reinstated their service.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English
Subediting: M. S. Salama