Telecommunications Minister Khaled Negm said he will restructure prices for the internet service that 40 million citizens depend on in Egypt, indicating internet speed prices for one or two megabytes are high compared to other countries.
During a talk show aired on the privately-owned TV channel CBC Extra, Negm said that in the short term he wants to provide this new price scheme to approximately 50 percent of Egyptians.
“Current prices do not allow for an expansion of internet services offered to Egyptians. I aim to eventually target 70-80 percent of Egyptians through the new prices,” he said. blaming bad service on poor infrastructure. In order to provide higher speeds for consumers, copper cables will need to be replaced with fiber optic cables.
He added that the minimum rate of speed will be two megabytes and that internet companies have approved the change in prices over the coming period.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
