Egytp's communication sector achievements in 2001 and future plans
Egypt, Economics, 1/14/2002

Egyptian President Mubarak reviewed the achievements resolved in the field of communications and future plans that will be accomplished during the current year 2002.

The year 2001 achievements of the communication sector and communication technology were characterized by rising growth and wide strides based on previously laid down infrastructure as well as new additions made for the first time in the field.

The year 2001 achievements compared to those of the year 1991 are characterized as the follows:

* The total telephone networks capacity amounted to 8.7 million lines, with an increase of 35%.

* The number of the telephone subiscribers amounted to 6.7 million, with an increase of 37%.

* Waiting- list subscribers dropped from 1.26 million to only 650 thousand.

* Mobile phone subscribers reached 3.4 million, previously 154 thousand.

* Number of telephone cabin service in streets reached 26 thousands, previously 14 thousands.

* Users rose from 300 thousand to one million.

* International communication capacity was 25 million pulse/second, it reached 400 million pulse/second.

* Number of companies in field of Information Technology (IT) increased from 266 to 652.

* New investments were estimated at L.E 210 million became L.E 1 billion and 100 million.

* Job opportunities were 10256 and became 21849.

* In the field of training and human development, trainees on software and I T in 1999 were 500, but now they are 4876 trainees.

* The number of computer trainees was 1200 in 1999, but it amounted to 44,400 trainees.

* The IT clubs were 30 but now they are 300 clubs.

* In the communication infrastructure, the highest rate of telephone service reached 8.7 million line to end the problems of subscribers on waiting lists and to complete introducing the telephone service to the rural areas.

* Technological development of the telephone network has become 100% in changing the system from analogue to digital.

* The smart network system was introduced in Egypt for the first time.

International telephone charge rate was reduced 50% and it became applicable in official holidays.

* Total investment estimations in the communication field during the last four five-year plans under the rule of President Mubarak are about L.E 30 billion.

President Mubarak reviewed the new projects in the field of communications and issued the following directives:

* The government is requested to consider that expansion operations must be realized through accurate feasibility studies to reach a gradual expansion coping with our financial potentials and based on investing Egyptian capabilities as well as the highest percentage of industrial inputs through the Egyptian production.

* The communication sector has to rely on self-finance as possible.

* The importance of finalization of the communication is to conclude its discussion before submitting it to the People's Assembly in its current session.

* Expansion of training the youth to acquire new skills in the IT field.

* Integration in the field of recruiting expertise by cooperation with research centers of the Science City in Borg Al-Arab and the benefit of experienced Egyptian university professors at world centers besides specialized experts of the armed forces.

* Broadening the Egyptian private sector base in the IT field.

* Expansion of utilizing the Egyptian product in the communication sector following the success of mobile phone production that was based on 40% of Egyptian inputs with expected actual increase in addition to the manufacture of the developmed home telephone.

* Giving priority to setting up a free zone for communications to make advantage of Egypt's geographical location in exporting communication services to the Arab states.

* Cooperation between communication sector and the military production factories must be completed in the IT operations.

* Using the foreign know - how in administering the third network of mobile phones, with the possibility of investment partmership.

* Giving priority in the information infrastructure projects to financing information in fields of public and state taxes and customs.

* In the electronic government project, priority must be given to payment of interests, licenses and investor services.

* Cooperation with Ministry of Education for qualifying all students at the preparatory stage school in the IT field in accordance with a balanced and gradual plan.

* As for the new tariff to be drawn up by the Ministry of Communication (MOC), equal and fair treatment must be ensured between urban and rural areas in terms of payment and the auto - dialing tarrif should be streamlined.

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