Effective February 1st, 2025, Egypt's National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA) began implementing technical measures to prevent the activation of new mobile phones that did not comply with internationally approved specifications and technical standards, including those set by the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA).
This initiative was a crucial step in the NTRA's efforts to protect users' rights and safety, and to guarantee the provision of high-quality telecom services across the Egyptian market. The Authority emphasized that non-compliant mobile phones had a direct negative impact on service quality and posed potential risks to public health.
Leading up to the implementation, the NTRA had advised consumers to verify that newly purchased mobile phones met international standards. This could be done by checking the phone's 15-digit IMEI number through the "Telephony" app before purchase, allowing customers to identify non-compliant devices. The NTRA also urged citizens to obtain a tax invoice for any new phone purchase and to report any violations through their official channels.
Furthermore, the NTRA had issued a strong warning to traders and distributors against selling any mobile phones that did not comply with internationally approved standards. Legal action, in coordination with the Consumer Protection Agency (CPA), was to be taken as necessary to protect users' rights.
The Telecommunications Regulation Law No.10 of 2003 underpinned this ban, prohibiting the import, manufacture, assembly, marketing, or trade of any telecommunications equipment without prior permits and adherence to NTRA's approved standards. Non-compliant devices were recognized as posing significant risks to users and potentially negatively impacting the quality of telecommunications services and infrastructure.
To facilitate reporting, the NTRA provided multiple channels for citizens to flag violations related to the marketing and sale of non-compliant telecommunications devices, including mobile operators’ and NTRA’s call centers, the NTRA’s hotline (155), the My NTRA mobile application, and their dedicated website.
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