Egypt has signed a record $3.5 billion agreement allocating 410 megahertz of spectrum to four mobile operators, officials said Saturday.
The cabinet described the accord as the largest spectrum deal in Egypt’s telecommunications history, marking a decisive expansion after decades of growth.
State-controlled Telecom Egypt will join Vodafone Egypt, Orange Egypt and E& Egypt in paying the government the full $3.5 billion.
The newly allocated spectrum equals all frequencies assigned since mobile services began thirty years ago, underscoring the scale of the transaction.
Communications Minister Amr Talaat said the deal doubles available spectrum in one stroke, strengthening networks for future digital applications.
The agreement lands as Egypt eases a foreign currency shortage, buoyed by IMF support, record tourism, remittances and Gulf investment.