Reported By Sulyman Pakoyi
Egypt, offering the cheapest mobile calls in the Middle East, is set to introduce e-SIM services, a technological advancement aimed at enhancing telecommunication convenience for consumers and competition for Telcos.
According to the country’s Minister of Communication and Information Technology, Amr Talaat, the launch only awaits the final nod from the National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA).
Egypt’s telecom market is highly competitive, with major players like Vodafone Egypt, Orange Egypt, Etisalat Misr, and the state-owned Telecom Egypt, dominating the sector.
The introduction of e-SIMs, expected by the end of 2024, is poised to further intensify the market competition among the players.
e-SIM technology, present in smartphones since 2016, allows users to switch between operators without needing a new physical SIM card as the innovation supports multiple phone numbers on a single device, enhancing user convenience and friendliness.
Once implemented, Egypt will become the 70th country to support e-SIM activation, joining a list of developed countries including the United States and several European nations. Despite the global prevalence of e-SIM technology, its adoption in Africa only began in 2019, with Airtel launching the service in 14 countries as recently as February 2023.
Egypt’s e-SIM initiative is distinctive as it ensures interoperability across all four major telcos in the country, meaning that smartphone users can switch between telecom operators without physically changing SIM cards, likely resulting in increased competition and lower data prices as operators vie for consumer attention.
Meanwhile, Middle East country is also preparing to launch its first 5G network as Telecom Egypt is partnering Nokia and has secured the country’s inaugural 5G licence, promising faster internet speeds compatible with eSIM technology.
Reported By Sulyman Pakoyi is a Nigerian-based freelance Journalist covering techs and lifestyles. He studied Mass Communication at Kwara State University.