• Ericsson has signed an agreement with e& Egypt to launch 5G across Egypt. 

• The partnership will see Ericsson supply its latest energy-efficient 5G portfolio to build the network, ensuring high performance and reliable connectivity. The portfolio is designed to manage all site types and traffic scenarios to deliver high performance, even as networks grow in technology and capacity across mobile generations.

• This move comes as the Egyptian government signed agreements for the second phase of 5G licences with three mobile operators: Vodafone Egypt, Orange Egypt, and e& Egypt to enhance the network services, significantly improve communication quality, and expand the network’s capacity for optimal performance.

The government reportedly raised about $675 million from selling 5G service licences to the country’s four telecom operators, including Vodafone Egypt, Orange Egypt, e& Egypt, and the state-owned Telecom Egypt.

Ericsson’s latest 5G Radio Access Network (5G RAN) portfolio will be deployed with the Ericsson Radio System products and solutions. The 5G will benefit consumers and enterprises in Egypt with faster speeds, lower latency, and greater network resilience, which will contribute to advancing societies, transforming industries, and enhancing day-to-day experiences.

It is also on the heels of Nokia’s announcement with Telecom Egypt, the government-owned telecom provider, to bring 5G technology to the country for the first time. The collaboration will see 5G-ready services enter Egyptian cities, including Alexandria, Aswan, Cairo, Giza, and Luxor.

Under the partnership, Nokia will provide 5G radio access network (RAN) equipment from its extensive AirScale portfolio, comprising Massive MIMO radios, baseband, remote radio heads, and services. Nokia will deploy its equipment later in 2024.

Earlier, Amr Talaat, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, confirmed Egypt’s capability to deliver the latest 5G technologies, contributing to service improvement and enhancing mobile network capacity. 

This development aligns with Egypt’s strategy to deliver advanced technological services, supporting key sectors such as smart cities, logistics, healthcare, and agriculture, all of which depend on IoT technologies powered by 5G.

The country has a mobile phone penetration rate of about 95%, accounting for over 100 million subscriptions, and an Internet penetration rate of 49%. Over time, the country has shown commitment to accelerating digitalisation. As part of its “Vision 2030” strategy, the government introduced a new component titled “Digital Egypt.”

Digital Egypt is a comprehensive vision and plan designed to establish the foundation for Egypt’s transformation into a fully digital society.

This development also shows Ericsson’s interest in Africa. Recently, the Nigerian government announced a strategic partnership with the company to explore the potential of 5G technology in the country.