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Vodafone will start offering new modems in Egypt and the region that will allow wireless streaming of high definition media, according to CEO Hatem Dowidar. Speaking to Daily News Egypt on the sidelines of the Cairo ICT, Dowidar said, “We’re offering in Egypt and the region modems with 28.8 megabits per second, wireless. This is the fastest wireless in Egypt, even compared to fixed networks, it’s faster than any DSL product in the market.” The modem are currently only available to select corporate clients, but will soon be available at competitive market prices, he added. “Another breakthrough we’re showing here are some of our core radio sites, a service we can provide for conferences. “We’re also showing the Vodafone Access Gateway, a product installed at home to improve networks indoors at faster speeds. There’s also a new IP TV solution offering video on demand that we’re very happy with.”

Dowidar added that through Vodafone Group, the firm is still planning to bid for Egypt’s triple play license, which was delayed to March. “We cannot participate directly, because we’re partly owned by TE Egypt. Again, the regulator may decide to extend again,” he said. Egypt recently began implementing regulations for mobile money transfers, which should lead to a surge in mobile banking activity. This service links the bank account is “to your number, allowing you to withdraw or deposit in any mobile shop rather than a bank, or deposit from one customer to another.” Dowidar added that despite the recession, Vodafone still saw growth. “Although growth was less than previous years, this was not due to the recession actually, but more to the rigorous competition in market. Etisalat lowering prices has taken the whole market down. Still, growth is positive,” he explained.

“Despite huge growth in customers, we’re still seeing comparatively low profits because prices stay low,” he added, “…Good value; we’re always going to have that in mind, services priced to offer good value.” On the ICT conference, Dowidar said it is a useful way to “connect with opinion makers, business leaders and our customers to show what’s new.”