TechPression

Tag: NTRA

  • Telephony app simplifies mobile phone registration for Egyptians returning from abroad

    Telephony app simplifies mobile phone registration for Egyptians returning from abroad

    Egyptians returning from abroad can now enjoy a streamlined process for registering imported mobile phones, thanks to the launch of the Telephony application. Developed by the Egyptian Customs Authority in partnership with the National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA), the app provides a user-friendly platform for recording devices, ensuring they remain operational without unnecessary delays or hassle.

    The Telephony app allows users to register their imported phones within a 90-day grace period, during which the devices can function without incurring additional charges. After this period, customs fees—amounting to up to 38.5 percent of the device’s price—must be paid to maintain functionality. This initiative is designed to simplify the process for users while ensuring compliance with Egypt’s customs regulations.

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    Streamlining compliance and protecting consumers

    The Telephony system eliminates the need for citizens to visit customs offices by enabling them to enquire about fees and complete registration entirely online. A joint statement by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology emphasized the app’s role in enhancing governance and protecting users from smuggled or counterfeit devices.

    “This digital system ensures transparency, simplifies compliance, and provides a secure mechanism for registering devices while supporting users with reliable tools,” the ministries stated.

    Boosting local industry and tackling illegal imports

    The app applies exclusively to newly imported phones, excluding devices purchased locally or activated before January 1, 2025. Officials believe the initiative will not only simplify user experiences but also strengthen the local telecommunications industry.

    “The system supports Egypt’s broader efforts to produce high-quality, competitively priced mobile phones locally, fostering exports and promoting a thriving domestic market,” the statement added.

    Vice Minister of Finance for Tax Policies Sherif El-Kilany highlighted the damaging effects of illegal mobile phone imports, which account for 95% of devices entering the country. Over one year, this resulted in LE 60 billion worth of smuggled phones, significantly impacting public revenue and disrupting the local market.

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    Digital transformation and economic impact

    By streamlining compliance and enabling seamless registration, the Telephony app aligns with Egypt’s commitment to digital transformation. The app’s text notification system alerts users to pending customs payments, ensuring compliance within the 90-day grace period. Non-compliance will result in device deactivation, reinforcing the importance of adhering to the new system.

    Through this initiative, Egypt not only bolsters its economy but also ensures fair competition and strengthens the local mobile phone industry, benefiting users and the nation alike.

  • NTRA Disconnects Unlicensed Wireless Networks in Giza

    NTRA Disconnects Unlicensed Wireless Networks in Giza

    The National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Egypt (NTRA) has announced the removal of unlicensed wireless networks from major areas in Giza.

    NTRA took legal actions, and escorted by inspectors and law enforcement officers, carried out a mission in which they removed 1,089 Wi-Fi routers, 146 short-range nano-stations, 157 access points, 202 multi-port switches, 19 long-range microwaves, 21 external antennas, and 33 power-supplies to telecom networks.

    These Unlicensed networks have had sorely negative impacts on the quality of telecom services provided to users in Haram, Faisal, Kirdasa, and the surrounding areas within a diameter of 12 km, affecting voice and data transfer services.

    Service levels have been consequently boosted in these areas, following the removal of the Unlicensed networks, according to the measurements conducted by the agency upon removal.

    Why NTRA Is Embarking On This Disconnection Drive

    In fact, this step comes in line with the NTRA’s role to govern and regulate the telecom market as well as improve the quality of service provided to users.
    The number of complaints raised by users living in Haram, Faisal, and Kirdasa had been increasingly escalated to NTRA, indicating service quality issues in such areas.

    NTRA’s technical team has conducted field inspections to make it clear that some users had been receiving telecom services from illegal networks not affiliated with any of the licensed operators in Egypt’s market whatsoever, and therefore, telecom services in such residential areas were entirely affected.

     

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    To this end, the agency aims to ensure that all rules and regulating procedures are abided by to guarantee the rights of telecom users.

    The NTRA is also calling upon users of telecom services to make sure they are using the services provided by licensed telecom operators since unlicensed networks do not actually abide by the quality standards acknowledged by the agency.

    Furthermore, users of such networks do not have the right to receive proper customer service or report any quality issue, with the NTRA adding that unlicensed networks are also illegal by virtue of law and have a harmful impact on service quality for wide distances in the areas where they are deployed.

  • Orange gets 5G spectrum in Egypt

    Orange gets 5G spectrum in Egypt

    Orange Egypt has gained new frequencies. The National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA) offered 30MHz in the frequency space of 2,600MHz with a Time Division Duplex (TDD) system. The frequencies were acquired for $440 million. While the government is expected to use this revenue for mobile phone services, Orange can deploy both 4G and 5G services on the network.

    The company was part of the group that secured the allocation of new frequency bands 80MHz within the 2,600MHz band, through TDD. Other companies involved include Etisalat Egypt, Egypt Telecom (WE), and Vodafone Egypt. This scheme resulted in an income of $1.61billion for the government.

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    The strategic focus of this exercise is to improve the quality of telecommunication services. It is believed that Egypt would experience a rise in network-readiness level.

    “In fact, this process would help to meet the increasing demand on telecom services in Egypt’s market, would also uphold digital information and pave the way for Digital Egypt.” (NTRA)

    In 2020, local media asserted that Orange missed the acquisition of new frequencies. They were the only telecommunication company that missed the opportunity. In that bid, Orange lost out in the auction to Etisalat. Hence, competitors such as Vodafone Egypt bought two 20-MHz bands, while Telecom Egypt and Etisalat Misr got two 10-MHz bands each.

    Orange Egypt is the second biggest mobile operator in Egypt. The company has 27 per cent of the market according to Omdia with Vodafone Egypt having 43 per cent. Of the market. While Etisalat had 22 per cent.