The move comes after a long delay in the introduction of high-speed telecoms services. Four 4G licences were sold in 2016, as part of a long overdue plan to reform the telecoms sector and generate additional funds for stretched government finances.
The country's three mobile operators: Vodafone Egypt, Orange and Etisalat all acquired licences, with Orange Egypt agreeing to the provision that half of the licence fee will be paid in dollars.
Telecom Egypt, the state-owned landline monopoly, said in July 2016 that it would offer 4G services within a year of obtaining frequencies.
Speaking to Reuters, an official at the National Telecom Regulatory Authority said: "The authority has sent a letter assigning the frequencies to telecommunications companies today. The companies will redistribute the frequencies in preparation for offering the service commercially in the market within two months.”
