Latest update on telecoms regulation from the Middle East and North Africa 19 November 25 Muatasem Khairaddeen

Just before concluding the 5G spectrum auction, the Turkish telecoms regulator extended to 2029 the spectrum licences of Turk Telekom in the 900 and 1800 MHz bands. Lebanon licensed Starlink to provide satellite services to the business sector. Egypt stopped granting approvals for importing or producing 3G devices as a preparatory step to switch off 3G networks.

Jordan adopted instructions to implement mobile number portability, requiring mobile operators to take all measures and steps needed to introduce the service in the first half of 2027. Qatar adopted arrangements to present the caller’s name on a recipient’s device screen for calls originated from registered business sector numbers, with this measure aiming to reduce the number of unwanted calls.

Tunisia consulted on an update to the retail tariff approval process, aiming to protect competition by setting out a price floor for business-to-business postpaid data offers. Türkiye allowed the fixed incumbent, Turk Telekom, to adjust some wholesale prices twice a year in response to inflation (as measured by the producer price index).

Cullen International’s MENA Telecoms Update details the most significant regulatory developments taking place in the region between 12 August and 30 October 2025.

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