Egypt has plans for a new capital to replace Cairo. Indeed, a multi-billion-dollar telecommunications network is already being planned for the new capital. But who will supply it?
With work ongoing on a new capital city in Egypt, it’s no surprise that a telecoms network is part of the government’s plans.
In fact, Reuters has noted that Egypt’s communications ministry is planning to begin work on the $2.44 billion telecommunications network in the first phase of the new capital city being built east of Cairo, according to a cabinet statement. The first phase covers 168 square km of what will eventually be a 700 square km city area.
Given that Egypt’s government aims to start running the country from the new capital from mid-2020, the need for a viable and efficient telecommunications network must be paramount and, indeed, the communications ministry has signed a cooperation agreement with the Administrative Capital for Urban Development (ACUD,) the new capital’s owner and developer, to begin working on the network over a period of six months.
It's reported that ACUD is to provide the funding for the network, but that inevitably raises questions about the suppliers and services, as well as the technology that will be rolled out. So far there has been no announcement on this, but it’s no doubt going to be a challenging undertaking, especially with less than a year to go.
That said, a large mosque and cathedral, as well a hotel and conference centre, have already been built in the city, which is, for now, being referred to as the New Administrative Capital.
