Mobile networks in Egypt are facing the Public Prosecutor after being charged of Association to raise the prices of mobile services as well as restricting the marketing process under the pretext of charging the stamp tax.

The Cartel agreement cost Egyptian consumers approximately EGP500 annually which is $72 million claims the Egyptian Competition Authority (ECA).

The firm further says that they had a complaint accusing the mobile networks of mutually last year in October

In October last year, the ECA says it received grievances which accused the mobile networks of collectively adding stamp tax on prepaid recharge cards at the same time earlier in the year.

The mobile network operators were previously absorbing the cost of the stamp tax to attract consumers but in March 2012 they are alleged to have privately agreed to impose the tax on the consumer without notifying the regulator in advance. The regulator later approved the tariff hikes, although it was not aware of the alleged cartel.

As part of its investigation ECA noted that it had also previously referred Mobinil and Etisalat to the Public Prosecutor due to refraining from providing the Authority with the required data and information.

- Ad -