CAIRO: After long anticipation, the Ministry of Communications finally granted Egyptian Mobile Operator MobiNil a high-speed 3G mobile license for LE 3.4 billion to be paid in installments, as competitor Vodafone Egypt did last January.
MobiNil applied for the 3G license last week after witnessing strong market growth in previous months that outdid its operating 2G and 2.5 networks.
“3G is much needed first for the spectrum that we are running out of and second for its advanced technological services, said Alex Shalaby, MobiNil’s CEO. He explained that 3G higher frequency rates would optimize use of MobiNil’s existing network stations.
Meanwhile, MobiNil is negotiating with the National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA) to settle upon dates and methods of payment as well as the exact launching date of the service.
“At first MobiNil will operate on a five megahertz frequency rate which will later increase as they pay the subsequent installments, the ministry told The Daily Star Egypt.
Despite insisting on not overburdening investors with the high costs of a 3G license, MobiNil had to act quickly to avoid fierce competition from Etislat Egypt and Vodafone Egypt, which both launched the service last May. In another development, the ministry also agreed to sell licenses for direct long-distance calling to the three mobile operators, putting an end to Telecom Egypt’s monopoly over mobile international calling.
