- WTO Basic Telecom Agreement
- Information
Technology Agreement
- Cooperation with
the EU
- GAFTA
WTO Basic Telecom Agreement
As part of the strategic direction to reform the sector and engage Egypt in
the global information society, Egypt made commitments under the WTO-BTA (Basic
Telecom Agreement) for the liberalization of the telecom sector in 2002. This
milestone of reform triggered the following developments toward deregulation.
- Instant deregulation of the markets of data,
Internet, and value-added services.
- Full market liberalization was achieved by the
end of 2005.
- The deregulation of the mobile services market after
the expiration of the four
year exclusivity period granted to the
mobile operators in 1998.
- A grace period for the deregulation of the
international voice market was
granted till the end of 2005.
- Egypt has adopted a technology neutral approach to
licensing of
telecommunications services to allow for
innovation.
- There are no limitations on foreign capital
participation in telecommunication
companies.
- Licensed international investors are required to
participate in the transfer of
technology and development of local
industry.
Information Technology Agreement (ITA)
In 2003, Egypt joined the WTO Information Technology Agreement for reducing
custom tariffs on ICT related products. Since 2005, the IT sector has been
enjoying a complete exemption from customs duties on the imports of its
production inputs, such as raw materials and spare parts, in an attempt to both
promote the sector and meet Egypt's commitments to a WTO Information Technology
agreement.
While the commitment of Egypt was to be implemented in 2005 through successive
annual reductions of tariffs to 0 percent, Egypt chose to facilitate the
process and remove customs on IT products as a part of the tariff reform
process in 2004. The main objectives behind this reform were to promote
innovation in ICT, increase demand on ICT products and create more job
opportunities.
Cooperation with the EU
MCIT and the Delegation of the European Commission in Egypt launched the
second phase of the New Approaches to Telecommunication Policy Program, funded
by the European Commission at a budget of €4 million.
The second phase of the New Approaches to Telecommunication Policy Program aims
to provide practical advice to regulatory authorities in ten MEDA countries in
order to assist regulatory authorities with telecommunications regulatory
reform, based on the key principles of the EU regulatory framework for
telecommunications. The meeting focused on developing regional cooperation
between the regulatory authorities of the ten countries, as well as with the
EU.
GAFTA
Egypt is currently involved in negotiations for further liberalization of
the telecom sector under the GAFTA (Greater Arab Free Trade Agreement).
 Historical
Perspective
Telecom
Act – Law 10/2003
Telecommunications
Policies
 Trade
Agreements
Telecom
Reform Milestones
Partnership
with the Private Sector
Consultations
with the Private Sector
Egypt
IPv6 Task Force
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