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EgyptEgypt Propels Into the Future With National 5G Rollout This Year
3 min
Egypt is set to launch 5G technology by 2025, boosting internet speeds and reducing latency.
All four major telecom operators will offer 5G, driving smart cities and IoT innovations.
This rollout is expected to enhance Egypt's ICT sector competitiveness and attract more investment.
Significant collaborations, including Telecom Egypt with Vodafone and Huawei, support the 5G infrastructure.
The initiative promises to improve Egypt's digital landscape and quality of life.
Egypt’s telecom providers are all set to switch things up this year by officially kicking off the long-awaited 5G rollout. This move is expected to shake up not just internet speed, but also the wider digital landscape, pushing Egypt firmly into the future.
Announcing the upcoming launch, Egypt's Minister of Communication and Information Technology, Dr Amr Talaat, confirmed that all four telecom operators—Telecom Egypt, Vodafone Egypt, Orange, and Etisalat—will have 5G services up and running within the first half of 2025.
It’s not just about streaming that Netflix series without buffering interruptions (though, let's face it, who isn't looking forward to that?). Talaat says this considerable technological leap promises not only faster internet speeds but also vastly reduced latency times, paving the way for all sorts of futuristic innovations—think smart cities, AI advancements, and plenty more gadgets joining the Internet of Things (IoT).
Behind the scenes, the ministry has been working closely with the major telcos, making sure the nation's infrastructure is robust enough to handle the added demands of 5G. Talaat stresses this upgrade will help boost Egypt's competitive edge across the ICT sector, encouraging more investment and innovation altogether.
It isn't simply tech enthusiasts like those over at Arageek who'll benefit from this groundbreaking leap. Experts highlight that 5G rollouts have historically proven transformative, often acting as catalysts for economic growth, invigorating industries beyond telecommunication, and significantly supporting the country's digitalisation efforts. In other words, it's about genuinely enhancing the quality of life by evolving Egypt’s digital landscape.
Reaching this point hasn't been cheap—and it's certainly involved careful planning and strategising. Telecom Egypt was first out of the starting blocks, acquiring the nation's initial 5G license for a tidy sum of USD 150 million for a 15-year period. Not far behind, Vodafone Egypt, Orange, and Etisalat secured their own licenses late last year, setting the stage for full-scale deployment.
Then, notably, Telecom Egypt paired up with Vodafone Egypt to ink a hefty USD 609 million infrastructure collaboration last November. Considered a significant step forward by Minister Talaat, this partnership will see Vodafone tapping into Telecom Egypt's expansive fibre optic network, allowing both companies to deliver superior connectivity services swiftly.
Further cementing ambitions, Telecom Egypt struck an alliance with Huawei this March, utilising the Chinese tech giant's advanced equipment—including 5G wireless technology, a service-oriented core, and transport networks—to ensure a smooth transition. According to ministerial estimates, over EGP 150 billion has already been pumped into digital infrastructure enhancements since 2018, paving the way for this latest tech breakthrough.
Whether you're an avid tech follower or just someone who appreciates a seamless FaceTime call, it’s clear that Egypt's upcoming embrace of 5G technology is more than just an upgrade. It's a substantial stride forward, indicating that a more digitally connected future may soon become part of everyday life, bringing exciting opportunities along with it.
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