Amr Talaat, Egypt’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, underscored the critical role of technology in driving sustainable development during his speech at the “5G and Beyond” Forum. He highlighted that the global technological transformation emphasizes the need for advanced technologies, particularly 5G, which is not only a significant advancement in communications but also essential for the development of smart cities focused on environmental sustainability, resource efficiency, and digital inclusion.
The forum, held on December 10 and 11 at the National Telecommunications Institute (NTI) in Smart Village, was organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in partnership with NTI. Ghada Labib, the Deputy Minister of Communications and Information Technology for Institutional Development, delivered Talaat’s speech on his behalf as the event aimed to explore the potential of 5G in fostering sustainable and resilient urban environments.
Talaat emphasized Egypt’s commitment to modernizing the country’s communications infrastructure, noting the recent licensing of 5G services to the four mobile providers. These services, expected to launch soon, will have a transformative impact on sectors like healthcare, distance learning, industrial development, and cybersecurity, further advancing the country’s digital transformation.
The government is also advancing the development of smart and sustainable cities, including the New Administrative Capital, which serves as a model for Egypt’s smart urban future, leveraging cutting-edge digital infrastructure and fiber-optic networks. Talaat revealed that over EGP 150 billion has been invested since 2018 to enhance the nation’s digital infrastructure, including the widespread expansion of fiber-optic networks.
The forum provided a platform to discuss how 5G technology can improve urban services such as smart grids, intelligent transportation systems, and increase accessibility and inclusivity in city development. The event attracted about 400 industry experts and leaders from over 30 global telecom companies, including Dell Technologies, VOIS, Vodafone, Etisalat Misr, Nokia, Huawei, Fortinet, and Ericsson.
Ahmed Khattab, Director of NTI, spoke about the institute’s role as a leader in education, research, and technological innovation. Established over 40 years ago as a center of excellence, NTI is an essential arm of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, dedicated to advancing Egypt’s telecom capabilities and preparing professionals through cutting-edge training programs.
Khattab expressed enthusiasm for the forum’s role in encouraging collaboration and knowledge-sharing between the ITU, NTI, and global experts. He emphasized the significance of 5G in building smarter cities and more efficient urban environments.
As global reliance on 5G and emerging mobile technologies grows, the forum emphasized how these advancements can improve urban living, offering better services, enhanced connectivity, and greater sustainability for citizens.
