The decision to cut off internet and mobile communications during Egypt's January 25 Revolution strongly affected investments, loans and assistance in Egypt. The telecommunication blackout led to the suspension of services of software and information technology offered by companies, in addition to closing the customer service centers of international companies. Dr. Naglaa Alam, an expert from the National Institution for Planning, highlighted the increasing number of internet users as one of the main positive aspects of the Egyptian revolution. She stressed that achieving democracy and transparency, the fruits of Egypt's revolution, will lead to increasing investments in the sector by 20 to 30 percent. In a study, Alam confirmed that investments in Egypt's telecommunication sector have decreased to zero in the wake of the revolution. Alam called for establishing an authority to organize the mission of telecommunication and media to avoid any potential inconsistency. She said such measure conform to the World Trade Organization's standards. She also criticized the lack participation of the telecommunication sector in small and medium enterprises, if compared to other sectors. The sector represents only four percent of the small and medium projects. Alam demanded criminalizing cutting off the internet or communications through amending Law No. 10 of 2003.
