Egypt has completed what its National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA) describes as Africa’s first trial of mobile services using the 6GHz band, marking a significant development in the continent’s push toward faster and higher-capacity digital connectivity.
The trial was conducted by the NTRA in collaboration with Telecom Egypt and Huawei as part of Egypt’s efforts to evaluate emerging telecommunications technologies and strengthen its digital infrastructure. The test included the deployment of a 6GHz mobile base station and the successful completion of a data call over the spectrum.
During the trial, the network achieved data speeds of approximately 1.7 gigabits per second (Gbps) per user, demonstrating the potential of the 6GHz band to deliver higher speeds, increase network capacity and improve service quality, particularly in areas experiencing heavy data traffic.
The 6GHz spectrum is increasingly being considered for high-capacity wireless services and could support the evolution of advanced 5G networks and future connectivity technologies. Its additional capacity could also benefit data-intensive applications such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality and augmented reality.
According to the NTRA, the trial is part of Egypt’s broader strategy to assess emerging technologies and improve the efficient use of spectrum as a strategic national resource. The regulator said the successful test will help inform future decisions on the use of the 6GHz band for high-capacity mobile services.
NTRA Executive President Mohamed Shamroukh said the 6GHz band has been identified as a strategic frequency range in Egypt’s long-term national spectrum planning for 2030–2035. He noted that the trial provides an opportunity to assess the technology’s capabilities while supporting efforts to optimise spectrum utilisation and strengthen the country’s ICT infrastructure.
The development comes as Egypt continues to expand its telecommunications infrastructure and digital economy. In February 2026, the country announced a new spectrum strategy that included 410 MHz of additional frequencies for mobile operators, aimed at improving network capacity, service quality and 5G performance.
The successful 6GHz trial could therefore represent an important step toward preparing Egypt for the next generation of high-speed connectivity, while providing a potential model for other African countries exploring new spectrum technologies.
