Telecom Operators in Egypt Request Price Increase: Reports

Egypt’s four major telecom companies have formally requested regulatory approval to raise service prices by 15% to 20%, citing soaring operational costs driven by fuel price increases and a weakening Egyptian pound, sources familiar with the matter told Bloomberg.

The companies involved include Vodafone Egypt, Orange Egypt, E& Egypt (formerly Etisalat Group), and the government-owned Telecom Egypt, which holds a 45% stake in Vodafone Egypt. Together, these operators manage a mobile subscriber base of roughly 122 million lines as of November 2025.

According to industry sources, the proposed increases are partly due to recent macroeconomic pressures. The Egyptian pound has depreciated more than 10% against the U.S. dollar, while fuel prices have risen approximately 3 EGP per liter. In addition, telecom operators must pay for newly allocated frequency bands in U.S. dollars, raising the cost of network operations, including tower maintenance and service provision.

One source added, however, that while approval for a price increase is likely, the final hike may be lower than requested.

The National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA) has historically approached price adjustments cautiously. In March, the agency rejected a proposed 30% increase, emphasizing that any change must balance consumer protection with sustainable investment and network development.

In late 2024, Egypt allowed telecom operators to raise monthly internet and voice plan prices by 17% to 30%, reflecting a previous spike in fuel and electricity costs alongside a liberalized exchange rate.

In February 2026, the four operators received new frequency bands totaling 410 MHz, matching the total spectrum allocated to mobile companies since the sector’s inception. The deal, valued at $3.5 billion, represents a significant capital investment to expand network capacity amid rising demand.

Despite Egypt’s competitive telecom market, where average per-minute call prices rank among the lowest in the Middle East, operators warn that sustained cost pressures may necessitate higher service tariffs to ensure continued network investment and quality.