According to unnamed sources, the National Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (NTRA) has set the 4G licence spectrum cost for each operator in Egypt as follows: EGP3.5bn for each of Vodafone Egypt (VFE) and Orange Egypt, EGP4.5bn-4.6bn for Etisalat Misr and EGP5.5bn-7bn for Telecom Egypt (TE) [ETEL.CA]. Media sources say these figures also include more 3G frequencies. The sources added that 50% of the cost would be paid in USD, while the balance would be paid in EGP. The operators will be given until the first week of August to send their responses to NTRA. Mobile network operators (MNOs) will also be allowed to offer the fixed-line service virtually through TE’s network, while TE will be allowed to offer 2G and 3G services virtually through the MNOs’ networks. Moreover, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) offered the international gateway licence to VFE and Orange Egypt at a price of EGP1.8bn each. In related news, the MNOs will hire consulting firms to conduct the technical evaluation and assess the economic viability of the 4G licence. (Al Watan, Bloomberg, Youm7, Al Borsa)   Telecom Egypt: EGP9.10 as of 15 June 2016, Rating: Buy, FV: EGP12.21 per share, MCap: USD1,749 million, ETEL EY / ETEL.CA