Telecom Egypt has applied to the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA) to acquire a holding of 2600MHz TDD spectrum.
The incumbent provider stated that it will use the spectrum to improve network reliability and quality of service, adding that the frequency holding would help it to modernise its infrastructure. Telecom Egypt has requested a usage period of ten years for the spectrum.
According to local news outlet Youm7, Telecom Egypt was not the only operator to apply for the new spectrum being issued by the regulator - Vodafone Egypt has also filed a bid, although Orange and Etisalat have not. An official from the NTRA was quoted as saying that results would be published “as soon as they are approved.”
Daily News Egypt reported that the regulator is offering 60MHz of 2600MHz spectrum with a reserve price of US$150 million per 10MHz. Currently one 40MHz and one 20MHz will be made available, with another 20MHz slated for sale in the future.
Egypt’s four operators all launched LTE services in 2017, with TeleGeography noting that none currently use the 2600MHz band. Vodafone offers services using 2100MHz spectrum, Orange and Etisalat use 900MHz and 1800MHz, while Telecom Egypt uses 700MHz and 1800MHz.
