Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09CAIRO305
2009-02-19 14:59:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Cairo
Cable title:
EGYPT: SECTION 1377 TELECOM TRADE AGREEMENTS 2009
how-toVZCZCXYZ0002 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHEG #0305 0501459 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 191459Z FEB 09 FM AMEMBASSY CAIRO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1683 INFO RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHDC
UNCLAS CAIRO 000305
SIPDIS
USTR FOR CATHERINE HINCKLEY
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECPS ETRD ECON PGOV EG
SUBJECT: EGYPT: SECTION 1377 TELECOM TRADE AGREEMENTS 2009
REVIEW
REF: SECSTATE 4730
UNCLAS CAIRO 000305
SIPDIS
USTR FOR CATHERINE HINCKLEY
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECPS ETRD ECON PGOV EG
SUBJECT: EGYPT: SECTION 1377 TELECOM TRADE AGREEMENTS 2009
REVIEW
REF: SECSTATE 4730
1. (U) This cable responds to Ref A seeking answers to the
two questions posed by the Office of the U.S. Trade
Representative regarding Telecommunications trade agreements
pursuant to section 1377 of the Omnibus Trade and
Competitiveness Act of 1988. The questions focused on market
access and transparency for satellite services (SIA).
2. (U) VSAT Operator Licenses: Egypt does not restrict the
number of licenses available for VSAT operators and satellite
service operators. Currently, there are four companies that
have VSAT licenses: Alkan, Mobiserve, Egypt Sat, and Africa
Wave. Only one company of the four, Alkan, is doing well in
the market and has a lion market share. The licenses are
provided based on market demand. The restriction on licenses
is a result of market saturation.
3. (U) Transparency and Petitioning: Egyptian telecom
licensees should inform the National Telecommunications
Regulatory Authority (NTRA) in order to obtain access to
and/or contract directly with a foreign satellite operator.
Users should go through an Egyptian licensee. A foreign
operator may provide its service to end users through an
Egyptian licensee. The NTRA provides details on its website
on the VSAT regulation, at the following address:
www.ntra.gov.eg/english/dpages dpagesdetails.asp?ID=258&Menu=1
SCOBEY
SIPDIS
USTR FOR CATHERINE HINCKLEY
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECPS ETRD ECON PGOV EG
SUBJECT: EGYPT: SECTION 1377 TELECOM TRADE AGREEMENTS 2009
REVIEW
REF: SECSTATE 4730
1. (U) This cable responds to Ref A seeking answers to the
two questions posed by the Office of the U.S. Trade
Representative regarding Telecommunications trade agreements
pursuant to section 1377 of the Omnibus Trade and
Competitiveness Act of 1988. The questions focused on market
access and transparency for satellite services (SIA).
2. (U) VSAT Operator Licenses: Egypt does not restrict the
number of licenses available for VSAT operators and satellite
service operators. Currently, there are four companies that
have VSAT licenses: Alkan, Mobiserve, Egypt Sat, and Africa
Wave. Only one company of the four, Alkan, is doing well in
the market and has a lion market share. The licenses are
provided based on market demand. The restriction on licenses
is a result of market saturation.
3. (U) Transparency and Petitioning: Egyptian telecom
licensees should inform the National Telecommunications
Regulatory Authority (NTRA) in order to obtain access to
and/or contract directly with a foreign satellite operator.
Users should go through an Egyptian licensee. A foreign
operator may provide its service to end users through an
Egyptian licensee. The NTRA provides details on its website
on the VSAT regulation, at the following address:
www.ntra.gov.eg/english/dpages dpagesdetails.asp?ID=258&Menu=1
SCOBEY