Page 117 - SAMENA Trends - June-August 2021

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

The National Telecom Regulatory Authority has approved the from VoLTE service, the NTRA said. (July 18, 2021) egypttoday.com
first time use of Voice over LTE (VoLTE) in its market. VoLTE is
an IP medium-based data transmission technology that delivers Egypt’s Information Technology Industry Development Agency
both call and data services over a 4G network. VoLTE provides (ITIDA) has awarded Fixed Misr and El-Delta Electronic Systems
high-definition quality phone calls by using LTE networks instead licenses to provide digital signature services, after receiving the
of legacy voice networks. Remarkably, VoLTE-VoLTE calls are highest scores in the overall evaluation of submitted offers. ITIDA’s
crystal-clear, eliminating static background sounds. LTE-enabled CEO, Engineer Amr Mahfouz commented: “Eight companies
smartphones have a 15 million user penetration in the Egyptian submitted bids for licenses to provide digital signature services,
market. The unlocking of VoLTE will accelerate communication 4 of which were accepted based on technical and financial
& economic growth like never before. The adoption of VoLTE proposal evaluation separately, while the other 4 companies were
enables voice-over IoT for different consumer-to-business and turned down for not obtaining at least 75% of the grades, per the
business-to-business applications. The number of global LTE statement of work and the technical requirements”. Mahfouz
connections has reached 3.3 billion. Subscription will continue added: “ITIDA’s Board of Directors has made the decision to grant
to grow stronger and stronger. Forecasters predict by the end of the licenses to two companies with the highest scores catering to
2024, this number will have grown to 5.8 billion, making up 60% of market needs with the availability of five services providers, and
all mobile subscribers. (August 11, 2021) afrikan.com according to the study ITIDA is currently doing to apply the latest
digital signature technologies and in Egypt. ITIDA’s decision to
The National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA) has conducted grant new digital signature licenses is part and parcel of the huge
a survey on mobile phone users’ satisfaction with services provided development witnessed in the IT sector in Egypt, as it comes to
by local operators in the Egyptian market during the first half support digital transformation efforts and to accelerate MCIT's
(H1) of 2021. The survey took place in cooperation with a global Digital Egypt strategy. Additionally, the digital signature aims to
agency in the field of market research. The survey was carried out link government services to the private and civil sectors, which
on 17,000 users of mobile phone services, taking into account requires the expansion of digital signature adoption across Egypt.
the geographical distribution, age, and gender of all segments of Mahfouz explained that the duration of the license is 3 years, to
society. Users were surveyed about the branch network spread start from the date of the operation permit and the issuance of
of each operator, waiting time inside these branches, diversity the license from the Egyptian Root Certificate Authority (Root CA),
of systems and offers, quality of voice and internet services, as subject to renewal for another similar period or periods, per the
well as the customer service. The percentage of users who were decision of ITIDA. Hazem Saafan, Managing Director of El-Delta
satisfied with the mobile phone services provided to them reached Electronic Systems, said that the company is more than ready to
79% for Etisalat Misr, 78% for Vodafone, 76% for WE, and 73% for implement its business plans as per the schedule set by ITIDA,
Orange. to guarantee the success of all aspects of the digital signature
The results of the survey came as follows: system, including management, operations, maintenance, and
• Branch network spread: WE topped the list by 82%, followed by follow-up services. “El-Delta applies international standards
Orange and Etisalat by 78% each, and Vodafone by 76%. of information security and services quality in cooperation with
• Waiting time inside branches: WE topped the list by 76%, global consultants, and through our partnership with Telecom
followed by Orange 71%, Etisalat 67%, and Vodafone 62%. Egypt to achieve the extensive outreach, and ensure the highest
• Diversity of systems and offerings: WE led by 66%, followed by quality provided to citizens” “We have successful experience in
Etisalat 65%, Vodafone 63%, and Orange 60%. implementing DX projects such as the Automation of Electronic
• Quality of voice service: Etisalat recorded 80%, followed by Tax Invoice System, e-Examinations applied in the Egyptian
Vodafone 77%, WE 76%, and Orange 74%. universities, and the infrastructure upgrade in university hospitals.",
• Internet service quality: WE recorded 76%, followed by Etisalat Saafan added. For his part, Mahmoud Ahmed, Managing, Director
72%, Vodafone 71%, and Orange 67%. of Fixed Misr, expressed his enthusiasm for gaining the license
• Customer Service: Vodafone and WE recorded 74%, followed by and his confidence in his company's capabilities to carry out any
Etisalat 70% and Orange 61%. technical, and operational commitment. He added that the company
• Complaint resolution: Vodafone achieved 71%, followed by WE excels in providing high levels of service to both individuals and
70%, Etisalat 65%, and Orange 57%. businesses, through a huge network of service outlets thanks to
• Accuracy: WE got 70%, followed by Etisalat 68%, Orange 66%, its partnership with Etisalat Misr. “Fixed Misr has a proven track
and Vodafone 65%. record in implementing a series of high-tech projects, in addition
(August 7, 2021) dailynewsegypt.com to its contribution in Egypt’s digital transformation through the
implementation of Digital Egypt platform, the Electricity smart
The National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA) approved the services platform, in addition to many other national DX projects.”
use of the first voice-over 4G LTE (VoLTE) service in the country. The Mahmoud added. Last February, ITIDA had announced the new
NTRA's approval came after telecom operators met the technical licenses would be awarded to companies to provide digital
and regulatory requirements necessary for launching the service. signature certificates, e-seal, and time stamp services for both
VoLTE is a highly-efficient wireless communication technology, individuals and businesses. The digital signature law, issued in
which provides high-quality voice calls for subscribers, especially 2004 and upon which ITIDA was established, supports Egypt’s
with regard to voice purity and clarity, without incurring any e-commerce industry by securing the internet as a legally viable
additional cost. Around 15 million mobile users are due to benefit medium for digital transactions and aims to support digital

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