We’re catching up with our 5G ambitions: The National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA) has given the majority state-owned Telecom Egypt the country’s first license to install and operate fifth generation (5G) networks at a cost of USD 150 mn, the company said in a statement (pdf) yesterday. The 15-year license will not get an auto-renewal and does not come with additional concessions, according to a cabinet statement out the same day.

We expected something slightly different: While it first came to light in October that the NTRA could put 5G licenses up for grabs by December of last year or early this year, it was reported that it would do so through a tender. It was also reported that the licenses will begin at some USD 500 mn.

Remember: 5G can deliver speeds up to 100x faster than 4G with ultra-low latency that could allow everything from remote surgeries to super-fast downloads and a “true” internet of things. It’s slowly rolling out in developed markets, and when it works (and it’s not chewing up your battery), it will be a game changer.

We have the capacity for it: All mobile network operators already have the bandwidths needed to run 5G networks, a Communications Ministry source told Enterprise in July. However, the technology’s accessibility and efficiency will largely depend on how much telecom providers are willing to pay and how they will price the service to customers, former Communications Minister Khaled Negm told us back in October.

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