Egypt has concluded the largest spectrum allocation in its telecom history, marking a major step toward expanding 5G and strengthening mobile network capacity under its National Spectrum Strategy 2026-2030.
Key highlights from today’s spectrum deal
Egypt allocated 410 MHz of new spectrum to the country’s four mobile operators.
The transaction is valued at about $3.5 billion.
The newly assigned spectrum equals the total spectrum distributed over the past 30 years of mobile services in Egypt.
The agreement was signed in Cairo in the presence of Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and telecom officials, making it the largest spectrum transaction ever completed in Egypt’s telecom sector.
Spectrum capacity effectively doubles
Communications Minister Amr Talaat said the allocation doubles mobile spectrum capacity in a single step, positioning operators to handle growing data demand and advanced digital services.
Four operators will use the new frequencies:
Telecom Egypt (WE)
Orange Egypt
Vodafone Egypt
e& Egypt
Operators will pay for the spectrum in US dollars through a five-year installment plan until 2030, while usage rights extend until 2039, giving long-term certainty for network investments.
Strong push for 5G and digital transformation
The spectrum allocation is designed to:
Improve mobile service quality and network reliability
Accelerate 5G rollout and capacity expansion
Increase competition and attract investment
Strengthen digital infrastructure and readiness for emerging technologies
The move builds on Egypt’s commercial 5G launch in June 2025, ensuring networks are ready for rising data usage and new digital applications.
Strategic impact on Egypt’s telecom sector
The deal forms part of a broader strategy to modernize spectrum management and support long-term telecom growth. Officials say the transaction alone represents over 35 percent of total telecom sector investments made over the past three decades.
BABURAJAN KIZHAKEDATH
