The National Telecom Center for Monitoring Service Quality, subordinate to the National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA), issued its quality measurement report for the fourth quarter (4Q) of 2022.
Measurement methodology entailed conducting quality-measuring tests on samples of voice calls and data services to determine the quality of telecom services provided for users within Egypt’s market. To this end, measuring equipment and vehicles were used for distances of 122,000 kilometers, across major and sub roads of urban and rural areas, during the fourth quarter of 2022.
The average number of areas affected by voice quality issues was reduced by 34% in the fourth quarter of 2022 to reach 38, in comparison to 58 areas in 2021-Q4.
The average number of areas affected by data quality issues was reduced by 41% in the fourth quarter of 2022 coming up to 24, in comparison to 41 areas in 2021-Q4.
Number of calls conducted via voice over LTE (VoLTE) technology increased by 200% during 4Q 2022 reaching 3 billion, compared to 1 billion in 2021-Q4.
Consumption of mobile internet packages increased by 273% in average to reach 377,000 TB during 4Q 2022, in comparison to 101,000 TB in 2021-Q4.
VoLTE is a highly-efficient wireless technology providing high-quality voice calls for subscribers in terms of voice purity and clarity. Furthermore, this service does not require any additional fees to the current cost of service to be incurred by users.
Furthermore, VoLTE can be operated via mobile sets compatible with such a technology, in addition to a SIM card supporting 4G service within an area where VoLTE is provided and supported by the operator. This service could also get automatically operated by some mobile schemes, whereas it should be activated from phone settings in other schemes. Rate of mobile sets supporting phone calls via VoLTE reached 51% within Egypt’s market.
Below is the total number of cities and districts where voice quality issues were monitored in 4Q 2022, compared to 2021-Q4, per operator:
Vodafone: Out of 81 cities and districts, the total number of areas having poor quality indicators with respect to voice service reached 15 during 4Q 2022. In fact, an improvement was monitored regarding the number of areas suffering from voice quality issues by 25% during 4Q 2022, compared to the same period of 2021.
Orange: Out of 81 cities and districts, the total number of areas having poor quality indicators with respect to voice service reached 22 during 4Q 2022. As monitored, the number of areas having poor quality indicators with respect to voice service improved by 31% during 4Q 2022, in comparison to the same period of 2021.
Etisalat by e&: Out of 81 cities and districts, the total number of areas having poor quality indicators with respect to voice service came up to 14 during 4Q 2022. As monitored, the number of areas having poor quality indicators with respect to voice service improved by 53% during 4Q 2022 in comparison to the same period of 2021.
WE: Out of 81 cities and districts, the total number of areas having poor quality indicators with respect to voice service reached 27 during 4Q 2022. As monitored, the number of areas having poor quality indicators with respect to voice service improved by 36% during 4Q 2022, in comparison to the same period of 2021.
Below is the total number of cities and districts where data quality issues were monitored in 4Q 2022, compared to 2021-Q4:
Vodafone: Out of 81 cities and districts, the total number of areas having poor indicators with respect to data service improved by 54% during 4Q 2022, compared to the same period of 2021, to record 19.
Orange: Out of 81 cities and districts, the total number of areas having poor indicators with respect to data service improved by 13% during 4Q 2022, compared to the same period of 2021, recording 26.
Etisalat by e&: Out of 81 cities and districts, the total number of areas having poor indicators with respect to data service improved by 83% during 4Q 2022, compared to the same period of 2021, reaching 3.
WE: Out of 81 cities and districts, the total number of areas having poor indicators with respect to data service improved by 42% during 4Q 2022, compared to the same period of 2021, reaching 7.
Data Transfer Rate (DTR) improved post activation of new frequency bands.
Vodafone: Out of 81 cities and districts, average download throughput improved by 14% to reach 33 Mbps/ second in December 2022, compared to 29 Mbps/ second in December 2021.
Orange: Out of 81 cities and districts, average download throughput improved by 12% to reach 29 Mbps/ second in December 2022, compared to 26 Mbps/ second in December 2021.
Etisalat by e&: Out of 81 cities and districts, average download throughput improved by 52% to reach 41 Mbps/ second in December 2022, compared to 27 Mbps/ second in December 2021.
WE: Out of 81 cities and districts, average download throughput improved by 17% to reach 34 Mbps/ second in December 2022, compared to 29 Mbps/ second in December 2021.
