Connecting Africa is part of the Informa Tech Division of Informa PLC

This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Registered in England and Wales. Number 3099067.

4G/5G

Vodafone Egypt gets additional ten-year spectrum license

Article Image
Vodafone Egypt has acquired some 2.6GHz spectrum for $540 million which it says will help it meet growing demand for reliable, high-quality voice and data services.

The Egyptian unit of the UK-based group said in a statement it had acquired 40MHz of 2.6GHz TDD spectrum from Egypt's National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA).

The spectrum is on a ten-year license term which will extent to 2030 and will enable the telco "to significantly expand network capacity."

Payments will be phased over three years, with an initial payment of $270 million when it receives the spectrum and two further payments of $135 million due in 2021 and 2022.

This is Vodafone Egypt's first block of spectrum in the 2.6GHz band but it already has spectrum in the 900MHz, 1800MHz and 2.1GHz bands which are valid until 2031.

Vodafone Egypt's spectrum holdings before and after the new acquisition

The 2.6GHz spectrum could be used for 5G rollout in Egypt. Although the majority of commercial 5G networks are relying on spectrum within the 3.3GHz to 3.8GHz range, bands like 1800MHz, 2.3GHz and 2.6GHz are also being considered and tested for 5G use.

Vodafone Egypt had about 40.2 million mobile customers and around 694,000 fixed broadband subscribers at the end of March 2020, according to Vodafone financial statements.

Up for sale

While Vodafone Egypt has secured another spectrum license its parent company is still looking to sell out of the territory.

In January, Vodafone announced it was planning to sell its sell its 55% stake in Vodafone Egypt to Saudi Telecom Company (STC).

But since then STC has postponed the acquisition twice — once in April and again in July when the operator said it would need a further two months to complete the purchase because of the logistical challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In September, Vodafone said it still wanted to finalize the deal after rumors that STC wanted to reduce its $2.4 billion non-binding offer.

Vodafone Egypt's revenue grew 30.3% to €1.45 billion (US$1.6 billion) for the year ended March 31, 2020, while service revenue grew organically by 14.5%.

— Paula Gilbert, Editor, Connecting Africa

Innovation hub

Story

Hot startup of the month: Nigeria's Tech Herfrica

Connecting Africa's hot startup is Nigeria's Tech Herfrica, a social impact organization that focuses on the digital and financial inclusion of women and girls in rural areas of Nigeria.

Story

Omdia View: February 2024

Highlights in February 2024 in the Middle East and Africa included 5G launches in Senegal and 5G trials in Egypt as well as Kenya's first 5G MVNO. Airtel also launched a new wholesale connectivity business while MTN and Huawei are planning a joint Innovation Technology Lab in South Africa – that and more in this month's Omdia View.

More Innovation hub

Latest video

More videos

Partner perspectives

All Partner Perspectives

Sponsored video

More videos

Industry announcements

More Industry announcements

Upcoming events

Africa Tech Festival 2024
November 11-14, 2024
Cape Town, South Africa
More Upcoming events

Africa Tech Perspectives

Story

Uber's Marjorie Saint-Lot on inclusion and sustainability in Africa

Uber's Country Manager for Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire, Marjorie Saint-Lot, shares how the ride-hailing company is approaching public-private partnerships, environmentally friendly initiatives and gender inclusion in Africa.

Story

The 100 most influential African leaders in 2023

A new report from Africa Tech Festival and Connecting Africa puts a spotlight on the top 100 African leaders in the telecoms and technology sector in 2023.

Story

Deep dive into East Africa's tech startup ecosystem

New survey reveals a lack of access to investors, reliance on international VCs and global recession trends as the biggest barriers for East African tech startups to access funds.

More Africa Tech perspectives

Guest Perspectives

Story

Omdia View: February 2024

By Omdia Analysts

Highlights in February 2024 in the Middle East and Africa included 5G launches in Senegal and 5G trials in Egypt as well as Kenya's first 5G MVNO. Airtel also launched a new wholesale connectivity business while MTN and Huawei are planning a joint Innovation Technology Lab in South Africa – that and more in this month's Omdia View.

Story

Omdia View: January 2024

By Omdia Analysts

Highlights in January 2024 in the Middle East and Africa included a $200 million fintech deal between MTN and Mastercard as well as 5G network trials by Telecom Egypt – that and more in this month's Omdia View.

More Guest Perspectives

Like us on Facebook

Newsletter Sign Up


Sign Up
Tag id test-002