Isabelle Paradis
April 2008
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According to the information released by HOT TELECOM (www.hottelecom.com) in its latest report "Egypt telecom country profile 2008", Egypt is one of the largest telecom markets in North Africa and the Arab region. At the end of 2007, Egypt boasted 11.2 million fixed subscribers, representing a 15.1% penetration rate. The market has continued to see healthy growth in the past 5 years with an average growth rate of 7.8% between 2002 and the end of 2007.
Egypt 's regulator, the NTRA, is offering a second fixed telecom network license, which will include licensing the services of triple play, international gateway, WiMAX, data, Internet, local and international fixed voice as well as value added services. The license duration will be 20 years and it can be renewed for another 10 years.
Seven companies so far expressed interest: France Telecom, Orascom Telecom Holding, UAE's Etisalat, Alkan and Giza Systems, both of Egypt , Atheeb, a Saudi firm and Alcatel-Lucent Egypt. The authority will be holding an auction for the license sale on June 19, 2008 .
This report, which includes 22 detailed exhibits and tables on Egypt 's telecom market, declares that Egypt 's growth trend is set to continue with a second fixed operator envisioned to launch service in 2009. "The number of fixed subscribers is therefore forecasted to grow at an average rate of 5.3% over the next 5 years to reach 14.5 million at the end of 2012, transforming Egypt into the region's 3 rd largest fixed market, after Iran and Turkey " HOT TELECOM's president Isabelle Paradis said.
Find out more about the Egypt telecom market in HOT TELECOM's new 35-page " Egypt telecom country profile 2008" report, which can be purchased online at: http://www.hottelecom.com/egypt-copr.html.
