Mobile network operators, Telecom Egypt still dancing around infrastructure sharing agreement: The three existing mobile network operators (MNOs) have submitted their pricing formula for allowing Telecom Egypt (TE) to use their 2G and 3G networks. The proposal would cap the total number of TE subscribers who could be active on the rented infrastructure, sources told Al Borsa. In addition to paying rental fees to one or more of the existing operators, TE will also be required to pay the National Telecom Regulatory Authority EGP 20 for every new user for the first one mn users, dropping to EGP 15 for the second one mn users, then to EGP 10 for the third one mn users, and then a further drop for any additional users. In December, NTRA extended the deadline for TE to sign agreements with one or more of the MNOs to use their existing 2G and 3G network infrastructure until it completes its own 4G network. TE CEO Tamer Gadalla had said at the time TE was not bound to sign agreements with all three operators and will launch 4G services after inking a pact with any one of them and objected to having the MNOs launch 4G services before his company. MNOs are waiting for TE as they have already asked NTRA to give them a final date on which they will be handed their respective 4G spectra.

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