The Egyptian House of Representatives' Communications and Information Technology committee met to discuss a proposal to remove the requirement of having a landline phone to access internet services. The proposal was submitted by Representative Jilan Ahmed, who argued that the current system is a financial burden on citizens, especially those who do not use landline services.
Representative Jilan Ahmed requested that the committee study the possibility of allowing citizens to subscribe to internet services directly through routers, without the need for a landline connection. This, she believes, would ease the financial burden on citizens who are forced to pay for landline services they do not use.
The Egyptian Telecommunications Company responded to the proposal, stating that while it is a good idea, it requires in-depth technical and operational studies. The company's Deputy CEO, Hussein Mohamed Adel, noted that removing the landline requirement would have significant implications for the company's network and operations.
Adel emphasized that the proposal must be evaluated not only from a technical perspective but also in terms of its broader impact on the company's 14 million customers. He highlighted the challenges of implementing such a system, including issues with address accuracy and customer location identification.
The Egyptian Telecommunications Company has invested approximately 260 billion Egyptian pounds in developing its networks over the past decade. The company allocates annual investments of around 75 million dollars, or over 10 billion Egyptian pounds, to upgrade its infrastructure and improve service quality.
Adel noted that the company's landline network is not only used for voice and internet services but also provides a range of services to businesses and institutions, including leased lines, static IP addresses, and IPTV services. He emphasized that the company is committed to providing high-quality services while ensuring the sustainability of its investments.
The company has made significant progress in upgrading its infrastructure, with average internet speeds in Egypt increasing from 3 megabits in 2014 to much higher rates. Egypt has ranked first in Africa in terms of average internet speed for five consecutive years, reflecting the company's efforts to modernize its network and improve service quality.
Key points
- The Egyptian Telecommunications Company has 14 million customers on its landline network and provides services to various market operators.
- The company has invested around 260 billion Egyptian pounds in network development over the past decade.
- Egypt has ranked first in Africa in terms of average internet speed for five consecutive years.
