National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority

The regulatory policy the national telecommunications plan make sure of the quality of the telecommunication networks and services are supplied at inexpensive fees for all citizens. Additionally, forming a licensing framework for liberalized offerings and developing a licensing system for networks and services covering character licenses and sophistication licenses for all telecommunication applications.[20] Regulations were approved according to the Egyptian constitution; to prohibit anti-competitive practices, which include the misuse of a dominant role side, pass-subsidization, refusal to supply main facilities, vertical charge squeezing, misuse of data and restrictive agreements as well as planning to create an appropriate environment for the marketplace liberalization where there will be a free competition and investment.[21] The government has approved the certified telecommunications operators in Egypt. The framework guarantees that everyone licensees are dealt fairly and in a non-discriminatory manner, and identifies the technical, industrial, legal and regulatory regulations had to make sure green and fair internet working practices within the telecommunication marketplace.[22]

On 8 October 2015, a lot of Egyptian internet users could not be able to use voice calling platforms such as : Skype, WhatsApp, or Viber. Many reports claimed that VoIP calls were blocked in 2010 in Egypt, but apparently this was extended to add the WhatsApp to the list during October 2015. Other conflicting reports about the Egyptian policy regarding blocking. However, official statements from NTRA deny blocking, but after complaining it was mentioned in the news paper that the decision were made by the NTRA.[23] On 20 April 2016, the lawsuit forced the NTRA to announce the list of the websites that was blocked in Egypt; to divulge the criteria upon which they were blocked. On 12 June 2016, NTRA denied blocking Viber and other calling services although they are providing unlicensed international calls and are therefore illegal. NTRA claimed that they need to be licensed first, while denying any blockage at the same time.[24]

On 30 March 2017, the same problem happened again and one of the mobile operators denied blocking the services; because the three main mobile operators cannot disable the VoIP services without NTRA approval. The National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA) announced that the authority has nothing to do with this interruption and that it reassure again that news regarding this issue is incorrect.[25] Many newspaper reported that the issue occurred because of ostensibly security concerns, but there's also a suspicion there are economic incentives for local operators who have complained to regulators about free international calls. The partial disruption comes after terrorist attacks killed 47 people in two churches. The emergency law allows authorities sweeping powers including monitoring personal communications without judicial oversight and shuttering media outlets.[26]

The national frequency spectrum development plan for the MCIT growth and optimizing utilization of the frequency spectrum according with worldwide policies. As a result, this will maximize the financial advantages of the frequency spectrum. Some other taken steps due to frequency spectrum management such as tracking the frequency spectrum in order to avoid harmful interference and assigning frequencies to clients without affecting national protection and defense, as well as having a frequency notification and registration. A worldwide coordination was created with the other nations on frequency spectrum usage through working within the pursuits of national defense and protection, and supporting regulation enforcement and crime prevention.[27]

The planning and development of the telecommunications zone in Egypt and to this includes incorporates out technical researches, tracks new technologies and works to resolve technical troubles.[28] Researches on unique subjects were conducted by NTRA, sometimes in cooperation with outdoor specialists and experts institutes,[29] to be able to encourage funding and therefore make sure the availability of new services in the marketplace, as well as identifying and studying the key industry interpretation indicators to draw national and worldwide investment opportunities.[30] and engaging in studies evaluation and economic interpretation of modern and newly introduced telecom services to make certain market liberalization and purchaser welfare.[31] and assessing a cost model to make sure that telecom services price lists are price-oriented and to assure that services are in moderate price.

On 9 June 2005, NTRA has mounted the customer support branch to create the registration methods of Wi-Fi devices importing organizations [36] and to submit both the organizations' Wi-Fi devices importation requests to the applicable committee as according to the applicable regulation and the clients' requests regarding the addition of Wi-Fi devices, or frequencies to different utilization licenses or cancellations to the relevant particular Committee consistent with the relevant law. Imposing the procedures for acquiring the approvals required for the importation and utilization of Wi-Fi networks hubs. Rendering a choice regarding the clients' requests for the discharge of wireless devices, whether for private or public utilization (for entities) or for exchange (for the certified organizations registered with NTRA as an importer of wireless devices.

According to Telecom regulation 10/2003, the national Telecommunication Regulatory Authority is the party accountable for the drafting of the national numbering plan and tracking its implementation. The national numbering plan stipulates numbering policies for fixed, cellular and unique services (Value added services, Internet, and Special Numbers) as well as new services.[37] The national plan defines the regulatory and technical regulations relates to the formation, allocation, distribution, control of numbering. It elaborates at the commitments of each the NTRA in addition to the vendors and operators of telecommunication services. It is also differentiates between distinctive sorts of numbers.

On 5 June 2007, the Research and Development branch was created to assist the national studies activities within the region of telecommunication, to maintain pace with emerging telecom technology and programs, and bridging the distance among educational activities and technical tendencies from one angle and policy visions and marketplace desires from another.[38] Periodically announcing call for studies proposals on subjects in line with international developments and public needs.[39] and taking part in and contributing to international conferences, meetings and standardization activities.[40]

In line with the Telecom regulation No.10/2003, NTRA is liable for licensing and supervising the wi-fi institutes that qualify their attendees to enroll in the GMDSS certification tests of various levels. NTRA adopts the across the world authorized curricula and in line with the curricula described by means of the Ministerial Decree No. 259/ 2003, NTRA approves the coaching team of those institutes and supervises the academic technique as well.