. /.   WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  S/C/N/495 
22 June 2009 
 (09-3050) 
Council for Trade in Services Original:   English 
  
 
NOTIFICATION PURSUANT TO ARTICLE III:3 OF THE 
GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TRADE IN SERVICES 
 
  The following notification, dated 18 June 2009, from the delegation of the Arab Republic of 
Egypt, is being circulated to the Member s of the Council for Trade in Services.  
  
_______________ 
  
1. Member notifying: 
 Egypt 
 
2. Notification under: 
 Article III, paragraph 3 of the General Agreement on Trade in Services  
 
3. Date of entry into force: 
 February 2003 
 
 Duration: 
 
 Indefinite  
4. Agency responsible for enfo rcement of the measure: 
The National Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (NTRA) 
 
5. Description of the measures: 
The Law No. 10/2003, issued in February 2 003, regulates all types of telecommunications 
services  in the Arab Republic of Egypt.  The main Article of this law obliges the service 
providers to act pursuant to the Law, the rules and procedures issued by virtue of the decrees 
of responsible minister. 
This Law establishes the "National Telecomm unication Regulatory Authority" (NTRA) and 
defines its objectives, responsibilities, technical role in protecting health and environmental 
safety, budget for scientific research, and training and development studies.  It also defines the responsibilities and composition of the Board of  Directors of NTRA, as well as appointment 
and responsibilities of its Executive Director. S/C/N/495 
Page 2  
 
  All entities and companies operating in telecomm unication services are obliged to provide to 
NTRA any documents requested such as reports, statistics or information related to their 
activities . NTRA supersedes TRA with all its rights and commitments. 
The telecommunication service suppliers should get a license from NTRA before the 
establishment, operation or provision of telecommunications services, transmission of international calls or advertisement of such ser vices or transmissions to a third party.  In 
addition, they should get a prior permission from NTRA for importation, manufacture or 
assembly of telecommunications equipment whic h have to be in compliance with approved 
standards and specifications; NTRA is a r esponsible body for setting out the rules and 
procedures for authenticating of any type  of equipment. Importation of used 
telecommunications terminal equipment for the purpose of trade is prohibited. 
NTRA is the authority responsible for the fre quency spectrum, which includes the following: 
• Regulating and administering all affairs in relation to the use of spectrum in 
   compliance with the provisions of this law,  
• Issuing the licenses of frequency or bandwidth usage, 
 
• Developing a spectrum plan for the optimum use, 
 
• Providing the rules for advanced wireless telecommunication services  
   considering ITU regulations,  
• Updating the spectrum pricing regime. 
 NTRA is authorized to monitor the spectrum for unlicensed frequency usage and to ensure 
licensee compliance with relevant license conditions. 
In addition, the crimes mentioned below, among othe rs specified in the law, shall be penalized 
unless more severe penalties are applied in the Penalty Code or any other law.  
• Destroying or damaging intentionally bu ildings or installations allocated for 
   telecommunication networks, or their infrastructure, or telecommunications    lines. 
 
• Failure to obtain a license from the NTRA for establishment or operation of 
   telecommunication networks, establishment of infrastructure for      telecommunication networks, provision of telecommunication services and 
   transfer of international telephone calls by any means. 
 
6. Members specifically affected, if any: 
 None 
 
7. Texts available from: 
National Telecommunication Regulatory Authority. 
 
 
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