GSMA Celebrates 4G Launch in Egypt

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The GSMA has welcomed the successful launch of 4G services by mobile operators in Egypt, and believes that Egypt’s leadership in 4G will serve as catalyst for economic growth and deliver broad societal benefits.

During a recent visit to Egypt, the GSMA’s Director General Mats Granryd attended the CAIRO ICT Forum and engaged with leaders from the mobile operators and other Egyptian ICT companies. The GSMA found widespread industry support for the Government’s plans to release more spectrum in 2017, which were announced by HE Eng. Yasser ElKady and will further enhance the newly launched 4G services, allowing all mobile operators to offer quality 4G services to the people of Egypt.

“The GSMA is very pleased with the successful launch of 4G services in Egypt and we stand ready to engage with all stakeholders in Egypt to ensure continued success and growth of the Egyptian mobile economy. Having lived and worked in Egypt for several years, I feel confident that the launch of 4G will prove to be a key milestone for the country,” commented Granryd.

The International Telecommunication Union emphasises that abundant spectrum is essential to promoting competition and innovation in telecommunications markets.

The Government’s plan to release more spectrum in 2017 can help ensure that sufficient spectrum is available for the delivery of high quality, competitive 4G services and to incentivise further investments in 4G networks.

John Giusti, the GSMA’s Chief Regulatory Officer noted: “In looking at other successful launches of 4G services, the total amount of spectrum assigned to each operator for 4G should be in the range of 2x30MHz to 2x60MHz, across a range of coverage and capacity bands, with a minimum contiguous bandwidth of 2x10MHz in each band. The GSMA looks forward to working with the Egyptian government as it plans the release of more mobile spectrum this year, so that mobile operators can extend 4G services and drive further socio-economic benefits for all Egyptian citizens.”