Operational costs rise on mobile calls after fuel hike

CAIRO – 5 July 2017: Operational costs rose on calls and internet services after the last fuel hike as mobile operators incurred expenses of LE 120-130 million ($6.7-7 million) annually on petroleum, sources said Wednesday.

The sources added to Egypt Today that the operational costs increased amid investments being injected to the Egyptian market worth billions of Egyptian pounds to activate the new 4G frequency band services.

Mobile operators are seeking to enter into negotiations with the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA) regarding the increase of operational costs.

Prices of cell phone prepaid cards will be kept unchanged sources noted, adding that the fees imposed by the government on mobile phone clients will be collected and imported to the Ministry of Finance.

Mobile phone subscriptions in Egypt have reach up to 98 million, while the number of mobile data subscribers stands at 26 million.

On Sunday, the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology denied any rise in the prices of cell phone prepaid cards, affirming that the NTRA or any other company have not made any decision to raise tariffs.