Egypt is moving forward in its digital transformation journey, announcing a significant partnership between Ericsson and e& Egypt to launch 5G services following the government’s issuance of 5G licenses to the country’s four telecom operators. This move is part of Egypt’s broader “Digital Egypt” initiative, aimed at establishing a fully digital society under its “Vision 2030” strategy.
The Egyptian government has generated approximately $675 million from the sale of 5G licenses, awarded to Vodafone Egypt, Orange Egypt, e& Egypt, and the state-owned Telecom Egypt. With the deployment of Ericsson’s latest 5G Radio Access Network (RAN) portfolio, using the Ericsson Radio System, the rollout promises faster speeds, lower latency, and increased network resilience. These enhancements are expected to benefit consumers and enterprises alike, driving advancements across industries and enriching daily experiences.
This announcement comes on the heels of Telecom Egypt’s recent collaboration with Nokia, which will deploy 5G-ready services across cities like Cairo, Alexandria, Aswan, Giza, and Luxor in late 2024. Nokia will deliver a range of 5G RAN equipment, including Massive MIMO radios and remote radio heads, enhancing Egypt’s mobile network capacity.
Amr Talaat, Egypt’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, has emphasized the country’s readiness to integrate 5G technology to improve service delivery and support smart city infrastructure, logistics, healthcare, and agriculture—all sectors relying heavily on IoT.
Egypt’s mobile penetration rate stands at around 95%, with over 100 million mobile subscriptions, while internet penetration is at 49%. The country’s dedication to enhancing digital services highlights a national commitment to technology-led development.
This expansion also signals Ericsson’s growing focus on Africa. Recently, the Nigerian government also announced a partnership with Ericsson to explore 5G technology, underscoring a broader trend of telecom innovation on the continent.
