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Minister of Communications and Information Technology Amr Talaat announced the official launch of the Wi-Fi calling service in Egypt, marking a significant advancement in the country's telecom market.

According to the National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA), Wi-Fi calling allows users to make voice calls, send text messages, and access other communication features over a Wi-Fi network, bypassing the traditional cellular network.

This service ensures high-quality voice calls even in areas with poor or no cellular signal by transmitting calls over Wi-Fi and redirecting them to the mobile network.

The leading mobile operators in Egypt, Telecom Egypt, Vodafone, e& Egypt, and Orange, have already launched the service.

Minister Talaat explained that the service is designed to improve call quality in areas with poor coverage, assisting citizens in staying connected without relying solely on mobile networks.

He noted that launching this service took over a year of continuous effort, with close cooperation between telecom companies and regulatory bodies.

"We faced challenges, but through collaboration with the four mobile operators, we were able to overcome them and successfully launch this service," Talaat said.

He also highlighted recent efforts to improve connectivity, including the rollout of 5G technology and virtual mobile SIM cards, with the launch of eSIM technology in Egypt last December.

Mohammad Shamroukh, chairman of the NTRA, noted that the first phase of the Wi-Fi calling service will focus on residential homes, with plans to expand to commercial and public areas afterwards.

He added that, by 30 June 2025, 99.5 percent nationwide will have 4G coverage.

"We are consistently engaged in developing innovative communication solutions to enhance the customer experience," said Samer Murad, director at e& Egypt.

"The Wi-Fi calling service is a key component of this initiative, providing seamless and high-quality connectivity whether customers are at home or in any location with reliable Wi-Fi access," he added.

The launch of the Wi-Fi calling service is another step in Egypt's ongoing efforts to enhance telecom infrastructure and meet the needs of its growing digital society.

Source: Al-Ahram Online​