Egypt: National Telecommunication Regulatory Authority released guide on the rules, conditions and procedures required for granting a licence to provide value-added services on mobile networks (Value Added Service VAS) in the Arab Republic of Egypt

On 21 November 2020, the National Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (NTRA) released a guide outlining the rules, conditions, and procedures for obtaining a licence to provide Value-Added Services (VAS) through mobile networks in the Arab Republic of Egypt. The guide specifies that applicants must be Egyptian joint stock companies with relevant experience in telecommunications, financial solvency, and a contract or approval from a mobile service operator. The licence, valid for five years and renewable, entails various financial obligations, including upfront royalty fees, annual licence fees, and a deposit. The VAS covered under the licence include services such as bulk SMS, MMS, Interactive Voice Response (IVR), and Direct Carrier Billing (DCB), among others. Licensees are required to comply with technical, operational, and regulatory standards, including securing user data, obtaining prior approvals for new services, and adhering to NTRA’s tariff regulations.