NTRA Says Offering ’Broadband’ Pilot Project by Jan-End with EGP350 mln

Eng. Hesham Alayli CEO of National Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (NTRA) revealed offering pilot project for broadband strategy by the end of the current month with total cost EGP350 million.

Alayli has informed Amwal Al Ghad that the delay is due to the multiplicity of strategies including ministries, governmental authorities such as Health and Education Ministries, noting that the last period delayed to offer the project as results of the Egyptian referendum.

He added that NTRA has conducted all its preparations, pointing out that funding for the pilot project will depend on the Universal Service Fund that affiliated to NTRA.

The Egyptian Telecom Minister Eng. Atef Helmy has previously asserted in statements that the project will cost EGP16.8 billion in its first phase, the government will contribute with proportion ranging between 15 to 20%.

He explained that spreading the second phase of broadband will up EGP27 billion, the government will bear 10% from the cost and the rest investments of private sector will be financed, and it is schedule for the two phases to be finalized by 2020 with total cost from EGP40 to EGP45 billion.

Helmy asserted that a pilot project includes 1062 schools, 896 youth centers, 340 hospitals in addition 57 scientific research centers, Investment budget for this project estimates EGP350 million which will be financed through the fund for NTRA from the total expected investments in order to achieve the targets of phase I which up EGP16.8 billion.