We’re getting fast mobile internet after all: Orange Egypt has acquired a 4G license; Vodafone Egypt and Etisalat Misr look to follow suit. Orange has reportedly signed a USD 484 mn agreement with the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority that will see it acquire a 4G license. Orange also agreed to pay USD 11.26 mn to offer virtual fixed-line services. On the mobile side, the operator will get 10 MHz of spectrum instead of the 7.5 MHz previously on offer, which it had rejected as insufficient to offer 4G, Al Borsa reports. Meanwhile, Reuters quotes an unnamed NTRA official as saying “Meetings are ongoing between [Vodafone and Etisalat] and the regulator.”

The NTRA has reportedly approved “new terms” for the licenses: The licence will be priced in USD, with half of the fees payable in USD and the balance in EGP-equivalent at the CBE rate at the time of payment, Al Mal reported. The same method will be used to price the fixed-line licence, while international gateway licenses will be payable entirely in USD. Telecom operators acquiring 4G licenses will have priority access to the gateway licenses.

Orange Egypt’s acquisition of a 4G license will be financed by the mother company and will be paid for in USD or EUR, said CEO Jean-Marc Harion. The company will soon announce its 4G launch date, reports Al Mal. Existing clients can apparently stop by an Orange branches starting Monday to pick up a 4G-compatible SIM card.

Vodafone and Etisalat have until 23 October to acquire a 4G license, NTRA CEO Mostafa Abdel Wahed told Al Mal.