Spectrum Workshop: Mobile Future for the Benefit of Billions

On 4 December 2024, the GSMA hosted the “Mobile Future for the Benefit of Billions” workshop in Cairo, in partnership with National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA) of Egypt and EiTESAL. The event brought together key leaders in telecom to shape the future of connectivity in Egypt and North Africa.

Download workshop slides here and watch the recordings of the sessions below.

Session 1: Roadmaps for inclusive growth and socio-economic impact

This session explored how a forward-looking strategy is essential to drive inclusive growth and maximise the socio-economic impact of connectivity.

Speakers:

• Eng Wael Sayed, Head of Radio Spectrum Secto, NTRA, Egypt
• H. E. Eng Hany Mahmoud, Chairman, Vodafone Egypt and Former Minister of CIT, Egypt
• Mona El-Badry, Director, Strategic Publications Department, Cabinet IDSC, Egypt 
• Dr Safa Mostafa, International ICT Government Strategies Consultant
• Mohamed EI-Moghazi, Executive Director of Spectrum Affairs, NTRA, Egypt 
• Mahmoud El Khateeb, Vodafone Business Director, Vodafone Egypt
• Fatima Karim, Director of Spectrum Regulation Policy, Huawei
• Luiz Felippe Zoghbi, Spectrum Engagement Director, GSMA
• Shahir Boshra, Secretary General of EiTESAL
• Amr Hashem, Policy Director, MENA Region, GSMA

Session 2: Investment-friendly licensing for quality and affordability

This session sparked insightful discussions on how spectrum pricing directly impacts network deployment and connectivity quality.

Speakers:

• Dr Mustafa Almahdi, Programme Officer, ITU
• Cameron Currin, Manager, Aetha Consulting
• Eslam Aboudonia, Public and Regulatory Affairs Director, Ericsson Egypt
• Cameron Currin, Manager, Aetha Consulting
• Kalvin Bahia, Senior Director of Economics, GSMAi

Session 3: Embracing change via technology neutrality and sunsets 

This session explored the importance of technology neutrality and the critical steps to sunsetting 2G and 3G networks and refarming spectrum. The discussion highlighted that with thoughtful planning and collaboration, these transitions could empower communities, accelerate digital transformation and pave the way for future-ready ecosystems when well-planned and led by market needs.

Speakers:

• Eng Aya Abouzaid Jalaleldeen, Head of Spectrum Assignment Department, TPRA, Sudan 
• Shahir Boshra, Deputy CEO of Cordon Electronics, Egypt
• Geraldo Neto, Partner, TMG
• Luiz Felippe Zoghbi, Spectrum Engagement Director, GSMA

Session 4: Future-Proof Policies for Emerging Technologies

The final session offered a forward-looking discussion on transitioning from 5G to 6G, including NTN technologies.

Speakers:

• Amr Badawi, Former Executive President of the NTRA, Egypt
• Ahmed Tawfik, MEA CTO and Head of Head of Technology, Nokia Mobile Networks
• Amr Ashour, Senior Manager of Market Access, MEA, Eutelsat OneWeb
• Moderator: Kamal Tamawa, Spectrum Director, SSA

Find out more about spectrum in MENA here.