The third mobile operator launched its 3G mobile services for the first time in Egypt on the 1st of May 2007 by using code (011).

  The National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA) permitted the third operator to launch its services in Egypt upon completion of the first phase of coverage as set forth in the license. The first phase of the coverage plan includes Greater Cairo, Alexandria, Aswan, Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada, Luxor, in addition to other governorates.
    Dr. Amr Badawi, NTRA Executive President, clarified that the NTRA is also following up the completion of interconnection agreements between the new operator and Telecom Egypt as well as the other two mobile networks   He made it clear that the third mobile operator will continue and complete its coverage of other governorates within the framework of the second and third phases of the coverage plan.
    Dr. Badawi also stated that number portability will be available few weeks after launching the service. The number portability service means that a subscriber can shift from one mobile operator to another while keeping the same number.
     Etisalat won Egypt’s third mobile network license for both 2G and 3G technologies in May 2006 in return for 16.7 billion Egyptian pounds. The consortium of Etisalat Egypt comprises Emirates Telecommunications Corporation (ETC) Etisalat, the National Postal Authority of Egypt, the National Bank of Egypt, and the Commercial International Bank.