IoT connectivity in Egypt
Updated
In Egypt, permanent roaming of foreign IoT SIMs is not allowed. Of the 3 mobile operators we track there, 0 have switched off 2G and 0 3G; the status of 6 networks is still unclear, as of 26 October 2026. Sources are listed below each table.
Permanent roaming
Not allowed. Secondary industry sources describe permanent roaming in Egypt as prohibited or effectively prohibited, but no NTRA document stating the rule was found.
Sources: counterpointresearch.com, eseye.com, com4.no. Confidence: low.
2G and 3G shutdowns by operator
| Operator | Network | Status | Date | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| e& Egypt | 2G | Unclear | none | digitalpolicyalert.org Formerly Etisalat Misr. No network switch-off date found from NTRA or the operator. NTRA stopped type-approving 3G-only devices from 1 Oct 2025 as part of a legacy-technology phase-out; this is a device rule, not a network date. |
| e& Egypt | 3G | Unclear | none | digitalpolicyalert.org Formerly Etisalat Misr. No network switch-off date found from NTRA or the operator. NTRA stopped type-approving 3G-only devices from 1 Oct 2025 as part of a legacy-technology phase-out; this is a device rule, not a network date. |
| Orange Egypt | 2G | Unclear | none | digitalpolicyalert.org Formerly Mobinil. No network switch-off date found from NTRA or the operator. NTRA stopped type-approving 3G-only devices from 1 Oct 2025 as part of a legacy-technology phase-out; this is a device rule, not a network date. |
| Orange Egypt | 3G | Unclear | none | digitalpolicyalert.org Formerly Mobinil. No network switch-off date found from NTRA or the operator. NTRA stopped type-approving 3G-only devices from 1 Oct 2025 as part of a legacy-technology phase-out; this is a device rule, not a network date. |
| Vodafone Egypt | 2G | Unclear | none | digitalpolicyalert.org No network switch-off date found from NTRA or the operator. NTRA stopped type-approving 3G-only devices from 1 Oct 2025 as part of a legacy-technology phase-out; this is a device rule, not a network date. |
| Vodafone Egypt | 3G | Unclear | none | digitalpolicyalert.org No network switch-off date found from NTRA or the operator. NTRA stopped type-approving 3G-only devices from 1 Oct 2025 as part of a legacy-technology phase-out; this is a device rule, not a network date. |
What it means for IoT devices in Egypt
- Plan a local profile: foreign SIMs cannot stay indefinitely. An eSIM able to download a local profile, or a local SIM, avoids being cut off.
- Private delivery works the same from Egypt: device data reaches your cloud over private links. See private delivery.
Other countries in Africa
Full tables: permanent roaming rules by country and 2G and 3G shutdown dates.
Frequently asked questions
Is permanent roaming allowed for IoT SIMs in Egypt?
Secondary industry sources describe permanent roaming in Egypt as prohibited or effectively prohibited, but no NTRA document stating the rule was found.