Telecoms and Media Regulation in Egypt: SH&P Contributes to Lexology Panoramic 2026

Partner in charge

Soliman, Hashish & Partners announces its contribution to Lexology Panoramic: Telecoms & Media 2026.

Mohamed Hashish, Managing Partner, and Mariam Rabie, Associate at Soliman, Hashish & Partners, authored the Egypt chapter. This overview explains the legal and regulatory framework governing Egypt’s telecommunications, media and technology sectors.

Egypt continues to expand its digital infrastructure, smart city projects and 5G capabilities. As a result, telecoms and media regulation is increasingly relevant. This applies to telecom operators, digital platforms, media businesses, technology companies, investors and multinational entities operating in Egypt.

Key Takeaways

In particular, key topics include:

• telecommunications regulation, licensing and spectrum-related requirements;
• media regulation, digital platforms and advertising rules;
• data protection in Egypt’s telecoms sector;
• cybersecurity and data retention obligations;
• foreign ownership restrictions and local content considerations;
• competition law developments and the role of sector regulators.

Telecommunications Regulation in Egypt

Telecommunications regulation in Egypt depends on licensing, authorisation and sector-specific compliance requirements.

In this section, the guide discusses the role of the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA) in regulating telecom services. In addition, it outlines the wider framework for telecom networks, international calls, spectrum use and related approvals.

The guide also addresses telecom licensing and authorisation requirements. For example, it explains how telecom services are classified. It also outlines how licences may depend on the type of service and the relevant regulatory assessment.

Page 7 of the PDF includes a table showing the main telecom service categories. These include fixed services, data services, mobile services, satellite services and infrastructure leasing.

Media Regulation and Digital Platforms in Egypt

The guide examines media regulation and digital platforms in Egypt.

For example, this includes licensing requirements for media activities, websites, digital and satellite platforms, content distribution and advertising.

Moreover, this section highlights the role of the Supreme Council for Media Regulation (SCMR). It also explains the interaction between media licensing and telecom-related regulatory approvals.

Therefore, this is relevant for businesses operating in digital media, content distribution, advertising and broadcasting services in Egypt.

For further background, SH&P has also addressed Egypt’s press and media regulation framework in a separate briefing.

Data Protection in Egypt’s Telecoms Sector

Data protection in Egypt’s telecoms sector is a key focus of the guide.

This section addresses the interaction between the Personal Data Protection Law, telecom confidentiality obligations, cybersecurity requirements and the Anti-Cybercrime Law.

For this reason, the topic is important for telecom operators, IT service providers, digital platforms and technology companies. These businesses often process, store or transfer user data.

In addition, the guide refers to data processing, data protection compliance and customer data confidentiality in the communications sector.

Cybersecurity and Data Retention Obligations

Cybersecurity and network security are also addressed.

In practice, this includes requirements for IT and telecom service providers. These requirements relate to the retention and storage of users’ data.

As Egypt advances its digital transformation agenda, these issues remain increasingly relevant. They also connect to wider regulatory developments around digital services, cybersecurity and data governance.

5G, Digital Infrastructure and Emerging Technologies

The Egypt chapter highlights several developments affecting the telecoms sector.

These include digital infrastructure, smart cities, international cable connectivity, Wi-Fi calling, caller identification measures, 5G services and new frequency bands.

Together, these developments reflect Egypt’s broader focus on digital transformation. They also support the country’s position as a regional hub for information and communications technology.

Competition Law and Regulatory Authorities

A separate section discusses regulatory agencies and competition law developments affecting Egypt’s communications and media sectors.

In addition, it addresses the role of key authorities. These include the NTRA, the SCMR and the Egyptian Competition Authority.

The section also covers merger control, competition oversight and cooperation between telecom and competition regulators.

About Lexology Panoramic: Telecoms & Media 2026

Lexology Panoramic: Telecoms & Media 2026 is a comparative legal guide covering telecoms and media regulation across jurisdictions.

SH&P contributed the Egypt chapter as part of its continued involvement in international legal publications. Moreover, the contribution reflects the firm’s experience in Telecoms, Media & Technology matters in Egypt.

Download the Full Egypt Chapter

Download the full Egypt chapter of Lexology Panoramic: Telecoms & Media 2026.