NTRA to operate fixed-line licenses for MNOs in 2H2018

The nation’s three private mobile network operators will be able to operate virtual fixed-line phone services as of 2H2018, sources with knowledge of the matter tell Youm7. MNOs had purchased the fixed-line licenses back in 2016 at USD 11.26 mn a piece. Once the service comes on stream, MNOs will be allocated 3 mn phone lines in Cairo and Alexandria, as well as 300k lines in the different governorates, National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA) head Mostafa Abdel Wahed said. Trial operations are already ongoing he added. In related news, the NTRA is working on making more 4G frequencies available to the MNOs, who had submitted requests back in December. The process is, however, highly technical and will take time, sources tell the newspaper.