National Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (NTRA) has approved the issuance of international gate licenses for Vodafone Egypt and Egyptian Co. for Mobile Services (Mobinil), according to sources close to the matter.
The award of the licenses is the first step in the universal license that will enable landline operator Telecom Egypt (TE) to provide mobile services.
Minister of Communications and Information Technology Atef Helmy said earlier that the ministry had agreed with mobile firms on the universal license, adding that the case will be referred to the Cabinet to be endorsed.
The sources said NTRA will award the two international gate licenses to Vodafone and Mobinil for two years yet without operating them with the aim of protecting TE and ensuring that it generates income during such period.
Vodafone and Mobinil will pay EGP 1.800 billion and EGP 1.500 billion respectively for the licenses.