Egypt signs historic $3.5 billion spectrum deal

11 February 2026

The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) in Egypt has signed the country’s largest spectrum allocation deal in its 30-year mobile history.

Valued at nearly $3.5 billion, the agreements grant local mobile network operators (MNOs) an additional 410 MHz of spectrum — equivalent to the total spectrum allocated over the past three decades.

ICT Minister Amr Talaat emphasized that, over the past 30 years, the sector has attracted a total of $10 billion in spectrum capacity and license investments. He described this new deal as a pivotal step toward building a human-centric society and advancing Egypt’s digital infrastructure.

Talaat highlighted that the current spectrum allocations have increased the total available capacity since 2019 to 550 MHz, marking a significant milestone in Egypt’s spectrum management. He also noted that this expansion supports the ongoing rollout of 5G services launched in June 2025, ensuring the network is future-ready for emerging applications.

The minister stressed that spectrum licensing is not just a technical matter but a strategic move aligning the government’s vision with private sector investment, aiming to reshape Egypt’s telecom landscape.

A statement from the ministry praised MNOs for their long-term commitment and investments in network development, reflecting confidence in Egypt’s stable regulatory environment. Talaat also expressed appreciation to the National Telecom Regulatory Authority, led by Mohamed Shamroukh, for fostering constructive partnerships and creating a regulatory framework that supports the country’s digital growth.