Telecom Egypt awaits regulator decision on Vodafone stake

Telecom Egypt is expecting the regulator to decide on the fate of its stake in Vodafone Egypt and the resolution of a dispute with two incumbent mobile operators in 2013, paving the way for obtaining Egypt's fourth mobile licence, reports Bloomberg News.

Telecom Egypt's investor relations manager said that the company awaits a decision on whether it will be forced to divest its stake in Vodafone Egypt in order to launch its own mobile service.

Telecom Egypt holds 45 percent in Vodafone Egypt.

Telecom Egypt is also expecting a decision following a September arbitration hearing on a claim involving two incumbent mobile operators, he said.

The company claims that competitor Mobinil paid lower interconnection rates to Vodafone Egypt. The decisions on its stake and the dispute resolution will "hopefully" be made in 2013, the spokesman said.