On your arrival in Egypt, you will probably wonder about the means of communication available in the country. Here is an overview of the land line, mobile and Internet markets.
In the modern era, telecommunications are an essential part of everyday life. So if you are moving to Egypt, you will, with no doubt, need to communicate and keep in touch with your friends and family abroad. There is no need to worry as the country hosts several phone and Internet and service providers, offering a wide range of attractive packages.
Land line
Telecom Egypt (TE) is the main land line service provider in Egypt. Most of the time, Telecom Egypt launches promotional offers so as to attract more customers, thus increasing competitiveness on the local mobile phone market. Thus, by subscribing to a land line, you are likely to enjoy some free airtime, or reductions.
Subscription can be made online, on the TE website. However, you are required to scan and attach a copy of your identity documents (especially your passport). Once you have submitted your application, you will be contacted by an agent for the installation of your land line. In general, the telephone is provided by TE, but you may use another device if you wish.
Mobile phones
The mobile phone and land line markets are subject to a fierce competition. It is so easy to but a mobile phone and get a subscription in Egypt. Indeed, it is the easiest and most practical way of keeping in touch with your friends and family abroad. You can thus choose from the following service providers: Mobinil, Vodafone Egypt and Etisalat.
Most of their agents speak English and will be able to advise you regarding the type of package which best suits your needs. Your passport may be required to fill in relating formalities.
There are different types of subscriptions in the case of mobile phones. You may either choose direct debit or payment in cash at counters. You might as well prefer prepaid packages. You can then recharge your account at kiosks by buying a mobile recharge card or at an agency where the the credit will be directly be transferred into your account.
Good to know:
3G technology is available in some areas in Egypt.
Internet
TE is the main Internet service provider in Egypt thanks to LINK. To subscribe, you are required to seek and appointment with TE. Installation and connection will be done subsequently. Note that your passport must be requested to fill in related formalities. However, you might have to be very patient as procedures can be quite long, even stretching over several weeks, unlike the land line installation which is quite rapid.
Internet service providers also provide broadband Internet via small portable USB modems. However, these do not require the 3G network. You can thus use it in areas covered by the service provider to be able to get connected to the Internet.
Broadband Internet is available both in prepaid packages and monthly subscriptions according to your consumption. In general, it allows faster Internet browsing and surfing. To subscribe, you also have to produce your passport.
Since a few years, service providers are also introducing mobile Internet.
Finally, in major cities such as Cairo and Alexandria, you are likely to find Internet cafes. Fees of around 10 Egyptian pounds per hour apply.
Useful links:
Telecom Egypt te.eg
Mobinil www.mobinil.com
Vodafone Egypt www.vodafone.com.eg
Etisalat www.etisalat.eg
We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.
