The move is particularly significant as it will enable the country’s incumbent, Telecom Egypt, to finally offer mobile phone services.
Approval for the licence was originally scheduled for June. However, the deadline was missed and there was no implementation.
According to reports, Telecom Egypt agreed to pay the government $350 million for a mobile licence, but details had not been finalised.
As it has now been implemented, telecoms companies will be allowed to provide both fixed-line and mobile networks in Egypt.
Three existing mobile operators in the country – Vodafone Egypt, Mobinil and Etisalat Egypt – have been overtaking Telecom Egypt's fixed-line services as more people opt for mobile phones over internet connectivity, but the licence will now enable Telecom Egypt to offer mobile services.
