Noor Data Networks plans to hold negotiations with all Egyptian Internet providers, except for TE Data, to form one entity to counter TE Data's monopoly on the Internet market. According to President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Noor Data Networks, Fadi Jundi, the broadband Internet market faces low-quality services. It also faces monopolisation by one company which owns roughly 65% of the market, while the other companies, which include Etisalat, Vodafone, LINKdotNET and Noor, own the remaining 35%. The current market situation is unhealthy and does not see real competition, according to Jundi, who added that the broadband service is generally getting worse. This is in light of increasing prices compared to the quality of the service. Add to this the fact that high-speed Internet users do not exceed three million, which reflect the market situation. Jundi believes that a powerful local market competitor to TE Data would help improve the service in general. Jundi said the number of Internet users is continually increasing, with numbers last September being 46.5 million users, an increase of 0.5% from August. The spread of Internet increased to 54.3% compared to the population, a growth of 0.16%. Families with Internet access last September reached 56.5%, an increase of 0.87% from last August. On the other hand, mobile and USB Internet users had the bigger share of Internet access at 52%, while Internet users through ADSL were at 35%. Dial-up Internet users made up to 7%, and leased line users were at 6%. On his vision towards establishing a new entity, Jundi believed that this could happen if the mentioned companies sell part of their companies to establish a joint-company or consortium offering Internet services. Another suggestion is to acquire the three mentioned companies. The company will then be able to compete with TE Data. Regarding the ways to finance the acquisitions, Jundi argues that if an agreement is reached with the other three companies, Noor may need to increase its capitals. He expects the start of the plan's implementation, whether through acquisition or establishing a consortium, will be during the current year. Khaled Hegazy, External Affairs and Leader Director for Vodafone Egypt, commented on Noor's plan concerning the acquisition of Vodafone's broadband sector, mentioning that this was not previously discussed. He added it is difficult to apply as Vodafone is an older company compared to Noor, and Vodafone does not plan to stop providing broadband Internet services.
