Ericsson has entered into a significant agreement with e& Egypt to launch 5G technology across the nation. This strategic partnership involves Ericsson providing its latest energy-efficient 5G portfolio, aimed at constructing a high-performance and reliable network infrastructure. The portfolio is meticulously designed to handle various site types and traffic scenarios, ensuring exceptional performance even as networks evolve and expand in both technology and capacity across different mobile generations.
This initiative follows the Egyptian government’s recent agreements for the second phase of 5G licenses with three major mobile operators: Vodafone Egypt, Orange Egypt, and e& Egypt. These agreements are intended to enhance network services, significantly improve communication quality, and expand the network’s capacity for optimal performance. The government has reportedly raised approximately $675 million from the sale of 5G service licenses to the country’s four telecom operators, including Vodafone Egypt, Orange Egypt, e& Egypt, and the state-owned Telecom Egypt.
Under the agreement, Ericsson will deploy its latest 5G Radio Access Network (5G RAN) portfolio using Ericsson Radio System products and solutions. This deployment is expected to benefit both consumers and enterprises in Egypt by providing faster speeds, lower latency, and greater network resilience. These advancements will contribute to societal progress, industry transformation, and the enhancement of everyday experiences.
This development coincides with Nokia’s recent announcement of a collaboration with Telecom Egypt, the government-owned telecom provider, to introduce 5G technology to the country for the first time. This collaboration will bring 5G-ready services to several Egyptian cities, including Alexandria, Aswan, Cairo, Giza, and Luxor. Nokia will supply 5G radio access network (RAN) equipment from its extensive AirScale portfolio, which includes Massive MIMO radios, baseband, remote radio heads, and services. The deployment of Nokia’s equipment is scheduled for later in 2024.
Earlier, Amr Talaat, Egypt’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, affirmed the country’s capability to deliver the latest 5G technologies. This capability will contribute to service improvement and enhance 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 rely on IoT technologies powered by 5G.
Egypt boasts a mobile phone penetration rate of about 95%, translating to over 100 million subscriptions, and an Internet penetration rate of 49%. The country has demonstrated a strong commitment to accelerating digitalization over time. As part of its “Vision 2030” strategy, the government introduced a new component titled “Digital Egypt.” This comprehensive vision and plan aim to lay the groundwork for Egypt’s transformation into a fully digital society. Additionally, this development highlights Ericsson’s growing interest in Africa. Recently, the Nigerian government announced a strategic partnership with Ericsson to explore the potential of 5G technology in Nigeria.
