Egypt unveils national broadband plan

Egypt's National Telecom Regulatory Authority announced the start of a new national broadband plan. The eMisr plan targets fixed broadband of at least 2Mbps available for 75 percent of the population by 2015 and at least 25Mbps for 90 percent of the population by 2012. It also wants 90 percent of the population covered by 3G in 2015 and the same number with access to LTE in 2021. In terms of penetration, the plan envisages 22 percent of households with broadband by 2015 and 40 percent by 2021, while mobile broadband users should reach respectively 10 percent and 14 percent of the population by the same dates. The plan also targets all Egyptian government and public service bodies with at least 25Mbps by 2021, and all third-level localities should have a public access internet point by the same date. The NTRA expects the plan will require at least USD 2.4 billion in public and private investment in the first phase to 2015. It is currently working with national stakeholders and international advisers to develop a strategic implementation plan. The target is for the implementation to start in the second quarter of 2012.