- Founded in 2019 under the Ministry of Defence, NCTS leverages the Tiba-1 satellite to deliver broadband services to underserved areas, collaborating with global entities such as Hughes Network Systems and e& Egypt to enhance connectivity.
- Egypt’s telecommunications sector, valued at USD 3.7 billion in 2024, anticipates growth with 5G deployments planned for 2025 and investments exceeding USD 2 billion, focusing on AI, IoT, and data centre expansion, yet grappling with infrastructure deficits.
The National Company for Telecommunication Services (NCTS), established in 2019 and headquartered in New Cairo, operates under the auspices of Egypt’s Ministry of Defence. As the first entity in Egypt and North Africa to commercialise the Tiba-1 satellite, NCTS has positioned itself as a cornerstone of the nation’s telecommunications infrastructure, delivering critical connectivity to remote and underserved regions. With a workforce ranging between 201 and 500 employees, the company manages an array of assets, including earth stations, communication towers, data centres, and optical fibre networks, all aimed at providing robust broadband access across diverse sectors such as education, maritime, and energy.
National Company for Telecommunication Services (NCTS): Strategic advancements
Since its inception, NCTS has demonstrated remarkable progress in expanding Egypt’s satellite capabilities. In 2021, a strategic partnership with Hughes Network Systems facilitated the deployment of the JUPITER platform, significantly enhancing satellite broadband services nationwide. By 2024, NCTS further solidified its position through a collaboration with e& Egypt (formerly Etisalat), enabling advanced services via Tiba-1 to cater to both commercial and residential needs. Additionally, a partnership with Kuwait’s Hayat Communications has bolstered satellite internet offerings, targeting high-speed connectivity for industries such as navigation and mining in remote locales.
Authorised exclusively by the National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA) to manage Tiba-1’s commercial operations, NCTS is poised to extend its influence beyond Egypt, targeting markets across Africa and the Arab region. Its infrastructure, including certified data centres, underscores a commitment to regional leadership in satellite telecommunications.
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National Company for Telecommunication Services (NCTS) in a dynamic industry
The broader Egyptian telecommunications sector is experiencing significant growth, with industry leader Telecom Egypt reporting a 33% year-on-year revenue increase, reaching EGP 50.6 billion recently. The market, projected to reach USD 5.4 billion by 2033 with a 3.65% CAGR, is driven by forthcoming 5G rollouts by major operators—Vodafone, Orange, e&, and Telecom Egypt—in early 2025. Innovations such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and a data centre market growing at a 16.47% CAGR are reshaping the industry, alongside an increase in telecom towers to 26,630 units in 2024.
Nevertheless, the sector faces formidable challenges. Rural infrastructure gaps persist, necessitating substantial investments amid economic pressures, including a 10% decline in global telecom equipment expenditure. Cybersecurity remains a critical concern for 2025, compounded by commoditised services and regulatory adjustments, such as NTRA’s approval of price increases to offset operational costs. For NCTS, the challenge lies in balancing the high costs of satellite technology with the imperative to deliver affordable services.
NCTS stands as a testament to Egypt’s ambition to bridge digital divides through innovative satellite solutions. As the nation prepares for a transformative 5G era, NCTS’s strategic partnerships and robust infrastructure position it as a leader in navigating the complexities of an evolving telecommunications landscape.
