The National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Egypt (NTRA) announces that it will start to take the necessary technical measures to ban the activation of any new mobile phones that do not comply with internationally approved specifications and technical standards, particularly the standards of the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA), effective February 1st.
This step is part of NTRA’s efforts to ensure protecting users’ rights, and their safety, as well as guaranteeing the provision of high-quality telecom services in Egypt’s market.
As clarified by NTRA, non-compliant mobile phones have a direct negative impact on service quality for users and pose potential risks to public health.
In this sense, NTRA calls on users, to verify that newly purchased mobile phones meet internationally approved technical standards by checking the phone’s 15-digit IMEI number through “Telephony” app before purchase.
This will allow customers to identify non-compliant phones before making a purchase. NTRA also advises citizens to obtain a tax invoice when purchasing any new phone and to report any violations through NTRA’s official channels.
Moreover, NTRA warns traders and distributors against selling any mobile phones that do not comply with internationally approved standards, as legal action will be taken as necessary to protect users’ rights, in coordination with the Consumer Protection Agency (CPA.)
It’s worth noting that Telecommunication Regulation Law No.10 of 2003 prohibits the import, manufacture, assembly, marketing, or trade of any telecommunications equipment without obtaining prior permit from, and in accordance with the approved standards and specifications of NTRA, since non-compliant devices pose significant risks to users and may also negatively impact the quality of telecommunications services and infrastructure.
In this context, NTRA provided multiple channels for citizens to report any violations related to the marketing and sale of non-compliant telecommunications devices. These include mobile operators’ and NTRA’s call centers, NTRA’s hotline (155), My NTRA mobile application, or the assigned website.