The NTRA has refused to negotiate with mobile network operators (MNOs) on its requirement that they pay a portion of their 4G license fees in USD. The regulator is also not interested in widening the spectrum for sale as part of the as-yet undisclosed ticket price, sources tell Al Mal. The spectrum on offer is inefficient for 4G services and could ultimately even worsen 2G and 3G service provision by creating additional traffic on existing networks, a source at one of the MNOs alleges. MNOs are demanding a schedule for when additional frequencies will be made available, but that may be up to the Defense Ministry, which has to sign-off on the release of any additional spectrum.

Vodafone Egypt and Orange Egypt have also reportedly refused to acquire international gateway licenses, which they feel is too expensive as they are priced at EGP 1.8 bn each, Al Borsa reports.

Meanwhile, Telecom Egypt (TE) is requesting 99.9% uptime guarantees from MNOs from whom it will rent infrastructure, demanding financial penalties in the case of three consecutive months of poor performance, Al Borsa reported. MNOs are countering by pressuring TE on interconnection and other fees.

El Sisi following up on the file: President Abdel Fattah El Sisi said at a meeting yesterday that he backs ICT minister Yasser Al Qady’s 4G policy, Al Masry Al Youm reported, picking up an Ittihadiya statement.