(Ecofin Agency) - Telecom Egypt, Vodafone Egypt, Orange Egypt, and Etisalat Misr have obtained new telecom frequency spectra following the tender launched in October 2020 by the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA). According to dailynewsegypt.com, the new frequencies are granted in the 2600 MHz band reserved for broadband.

The tender, which was held in two phases, saw in its first phase the acquisition by Telecom Egypt of the 2 × 10 MHz spectrum for $305 million. Vodafone Egypt acquired the 2 x 20 MHz spectrum for $540 million. In the second phase, Orange Egypt and Etisalat Misr obtained a 2 x 10 MHz frequency spectrum respectively. The sale of these frequencies generated nearly $1.1 billion.

The new telecom frequency spectra allocated to operators are based on the time-division duplexing (TDD) technology. This system allows the transmission and reception of the telecom signal in turn on the same frequency. This solution maximizes the efficient use of the frequency spectrum in data transfers, in terms of speed and capacity, and contributes significantly to improving the quality of services provided to users.

According to Hossam El-Gamal, NTRA's executive chairman, the new frequencies are expected to spur mobile service providers to make new investments that will contribute to the development and modernization of mobile network infrastructure. A way to improve the quality of communication services.