Egypt breaks price barriers in the Arab internet market... Experts reveal the secret to their success to Zoom Africa News 

Written by: Mohammed Omran

At a time when services Internet A key pillar of the digital economy, education, government services, and e-commerce, Egypt topped the list of Arab countries with the lowest costs for broadband internet services, according to data issued by the Information and Decision Support Center of the Cabinet, based on the Numbeo index for June 2026, which compares the average prices of fixed internet subscriptions in Arab countries in US dollars.

Egypt has the cheapest internet in the Arab world... Experts reveal to Zoom Africa News the secret behind the low cost and the challenges of the service

Egypt’s leading position on this list reflects the magnitude of the transformations that the telecommunications sector has witnessed in recent years, in light of the expansion of digital infrastructure projects, increased investments in fiber optic networks, and the development of telecommunications services, in conjunction with the state’s move towards digital transformation and expanding the base of beneficiaries of electronic services.

The data showed that the average cost of a broadband internet subscription in Egypt was $7.91 per month, ranking first in the Arab world as the country with the lowest service cost.

Lebanon came in second with an average of $14.23, followed by Libya in third place with an average of $14.68, then Algeria with an average of $18.54, while Tunisia came in fifth with an average of $19.10.

Experts: Infrastructure and competition behind the drop in internet costs

Engineer Mohammed Al-Harthi, an expert in technology and information security, said that Egypt's leading position among Arab countries in terms of the low cost of fixed internet services is due to a number of factors, most notably the significant expansion of the digital infrastructure in recent years, through the deployment of fiber optic networks, the modernization of exchanges, and the improvement of network efficiency.

Al-Harthi explained in exclusive statements to ”Zoom Africa News” that the injection of large investments into the telecommunications sector has directly contributed to reducing the cost of providing the service compared to many Arab markets, noting that the decrease in internet prices cannot be explained only as a result of pricing policies, but also reflects a tangible development in the digital infrastructure.

The information technology and security expert added that pricing policies and competition between different packages played an important role in maintaining reasonable price levels for users. However, the quality of service remains subject to varying evaluations among citizens, as some believe that the current prices are good compared to regional markets, while others demand an improvement in actual speeds, increased service stability, and higher download capacities to match the increasing use of digital applications and platforms.

Al-Harthi stressed that the low cost of the internet is an important factor in supporting digital transformation efforts, encouraging the growth of startups, attracting investments in technology, data centers, outsourcing services, and e-commerce, as well as promoting the spread of digital government and educational services.

He pointed out that maintaining these low prices is an ongoing challenge, given the rising costs of upgrading networks, the increasing demand for higher speeds, and the rising prices of imported equipment and technologies. He explained that the next stage requires striking a balance between continued investment in developing digital infrastructure and maintaining competitive prices that meet the needs of citizens and the business sector at the same time.

Mahmoud Farag: Infrastructure development and competition are behind the decrease in internet costs... and the comparison to the dollar needs to be reviewed.

In the same context, Dr. Mahmoud Farag, an expert in information technology and security, said that Egypt's ranking as the least expensive Arab country in terms of broadband internet services is due to a number of factors, most notably the significant development witnessed in the infrastructure of the communications sector during recent years.

Farag explained in exclusive statements to ”Zoom Africa News” that Egypt has begun to develop its internet networks in a clear way, especially after the Corona pandemic, which revealed the extent of the increasing dependence on the Internet and technology, and the great pressure that accompanied this on the networks as a result of the expansion of electronic services, education and remote work.

He pointed out that this stage prompted the state to develop plans to upgrade the infrastructure to keep pace with global technological developments, with the aim of providing networks capable of accommodating high internet speeds and the increasing volume of usage during the coming years.

He added that the development process included replacing the old copper cables used in data transmission with fiber optic networks, which provide much higher data transmission speeds, and this was reflected in the internet speed levels in Egypt, which moved from limited speeds that were measured in kilobytes to higher speeds in megabytes and then gigabytes.

He pointed out that the low cost of internet in Egypt is also related to the state’s support for services, in addition to technological developments that have contributed to reducing the cost of operating networks and transmitting data.

He explained that the introduction of modern technologies in the telecommunications sector, whether in fixed or mobile internet, has contributed to reducing the cost of data transmission, pointing to the transition from third-generation networks to fourth-generation networks, and the expansion of fifth-generation services, which provide higher speeds across different phones and devices.

He pointed out that the development of modern communication technologies has reduced the need to create a huge infrastructure for data transmission, as wireless solutions have become more efficient and less expensive compared to relying entirely on the traditional infrastructure.

He added that the presence of four major companies providing telecommunications services in the Egyptian market has strengthened competition among them, which has prompted companies to improve the quality of services and offer higher speeds at a lower cost to the consumer.

Does comparing prices in dollars reflect the true cost?

Dr. Mahmoud Farag explained that comparing internet prices between countries using only the dollar requires some caution, because the difference in currency values affects the final results.

He pointed out that the low value of the Egyptian currency compared to other currencies makes converting prices to dollars give the impression that the cost of the internet is significantly lower, while the citizen's income and purchasing power within each country should be considered.

He added that citizens in every country deal in their local currency and receive their income according to the economic conditions of their country. Therefore, comparing prices after currency conversion only does not always reflect the true cost of the service, stressing the need to take into account the economic conditions of each society.

Service quality and internet prices for consumers

Regarding the extent to which internet prices are commensurate with the quality of service provided, Farag confirmed that the quality of the internet in Egypt has witnessed a great improvement during the past period as a result of the development of networks and the increase in speeds, but there are some challenges related to the cost of the service for users.

He explained that some citizens feel that internet packages are consumed faster than expected, calling for increased transparency with the user, and clarifying the reasons for the package expiring and the actual consumption rates.

He pointed out that some increases in internet package prices have raised questions among users, explaining that infrastructure development and increased speeds should have been accompanied by maintaining the affordability of the costs for citizens.

He added that improving service quality should be accompanied by greater transparency regarding any price increases, in order to achieve a balance between developing the sector and maintaining user satisfaction.

Low-cost internet and its role in supporting digital transformation

An information technology and security expert confirmed that the low cost of the internet is an important factor in supporting digital transformation and increasing reliance on electronic services.

He explained that the expansion of internet use supports digital government services, electronic banking services, e-commerce, and remote work, which contributes to the development of the digital economy.

He added that the lower cost of the internet helps attract foreign investment in the technology sector, especially with the availability of a strong digital infrastructure and suitable internet services for companies wishing to invest.

He pointed out that the continued development of the telecommunications sector and increased reliance on technology can enhance Egypt's position as a regional hub for digital services and technological investments in the coming period.